Definitions

shù (noun) tree
shù (verb) to plant; to cultivate
shù (verb) to set up; to establish

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 树 is the simplified form of the traditional 樹, a phono-semantic compound with the wood radical 木 on the left, indicating its connection to plants. In the simplified version, the complex right-hand components of the traditional form were replaced by 对 to reduce stroke count and provide a phonetic clue. Originally, 树 functioned as a verb meaning to plant or set upright. Over time, its primary meaning shifted to the noun for a tree, though it retains abstract verbal senses like to establish or set up.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里有一棵

Zhèlǐ yǒu yī kē shù.

There is a tree here.

很高大。

Dà shù hěn gāodà.

The big tree is very tall.

我们在下休息。

Wǒmen zài shù xià xiūxi.

We are resting under the tree.

上有一只小鸟。

Shù shàng yǒu yī zhī xiǎo niǎo.

There is a small bird on the tree.

他种了一棵苹果

Tā zhòng le yī kē píngguǒ shù.

He planted an apple tree.

春天来了,木都变绿了。

Chūntiān lái le, shùmù dōu biàn lǜ le.

Spring has come, and the trees have turned green.

公司要立良好的形象。

Gōngsī yào shùlì liánghǎo de xíngxiàng.

The company needs to establish a good image.

环境保护需要我们多种

Huánjìng bǎohù xūyào wǒmen duō zhòng shù.

Environmental protection requires us to plant more trees.