About
The character "殖" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, incorporating the semantic component "歹", which historically derives from a pictograph for bone fragments and often conveys notions of decay or remnants, paired with the phonetic component "直", guiding pronunciation while subtly suggesting upright or direct growth. Initially, this character was associated with burial or interment, reflecting the morbid connotations of its radical, but its meaning gradually transitioned toward agricultural practices such as planting and cultivation, emphasizing the nurturing of life from the soil. This semantic expansion further encompassed biological propagation and numerical increase, leading to its contemporary uses in terms like "繁殖" for reproduction and "殖民" for colonization, all while the character's form has persisted unchanged in traditional orthography.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
植物繁殖靠种子。
他们养殖了很多鱼。
殖民时代已经过去。
细胞增殖是生命的基础。
人类生殖系统很复杂。
这片土地曾是殖民地。
过度养殖会破坏环境。
科学家正在研究细菌的繁殖条件。