槐

huái

木 + 鬼

Definitions

huái (noun) Chinese scholar tree; Japanese pagoda tree

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 鬼 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 鬼

About

槐 (huái) is the Chinese scholar tree (or locust tree), a species frequently planted in courtyards and along streets for shade and ornament. It is a phono-semantic compound: the left side is the wood radical 木 (mù), indicating a tree or woody plant; the right side is 鬼 (guǐ, 'ghost'), which supplies the pronunciation. Cultural folklore often linked this tree with spirits and supernatural dwellings, echoing the 'ghost' component. In historical texts and classical literature, the tree represented high officialdom and bureaucratic prestige, appearing often in formal titles, poetry, and descriptions of imperial administrative courtyards.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

门口有棵大槐树。

Ménkǒu yǒu kē dà huáishù.

There is a big locust tree by the door.

春天，槐树开花了。

Chūntiān, huáishù kāihuā le.

In spring, the locust tree blossoms.

槐花的香味很好闻。

Huáihuā de xiāngwèi hěn hǎo wén.

The fragrance of the locust flowers is very pleasant.

我们在槐树下乘凉。

Wǒmen zài huáishù xià chéngliáng.

We are enjoying the cool under the locust tree.

古老的槐树见证了历史。

Gǔlǎo de huáishù jiànzhèng le lìshǐ.

The ancient locust tree has witnessed history.

槐树的叶子是椭圆形的。

Huáishù de yèzi shì tuǒyuán xíng de.

The leaves of the locust tree are oval-shaped.

槐荫如盖，遮住了烈日。

Huái yīn rú gài, zhē zhù le lièrì.

The locust tree's shade, like a canopy, blocks the scorching sun.

记忆中的小院飘着槐花香。

Jìyì zhōng de xiǎo yuàn piāo zhe huáihuā xiāng.

The scent of locust flowers wafts through the courtyard in my memory.

Related Characters

Component: 木

Component: 鬼

槐