槐

huái

木 + 鬼

Frequency#3120

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

The character "槐" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, with the radical "木" categorizing it as a tree and the component "鬼" primarily supplying phonetic value, a construction that has remained consistent in form. Its etymology firmly ties it to the pagoda tree, specifically Sophora japonica, a meaning that has not shifted significantly throughout its recorded use. The character's composition has not altered, and its semantic scope has stayed narrowly focused on denoting this particular tree species across historical texts.

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