滋

zī

兹 + 氵

Definitions

zī (verb) to grow; to increase

zī (verb) to nourish

zī (noun) juice; taste

Etymology phono-semantic

water

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 兹

About

滋 is a phono-semantic compound combining the water radical 氵 with the phonetic 兹. The water radical signals moisture or liquid, while 兹 may also suggest multiplication or vegetation growth. Originally it referred to moisture, dampness, or literal plant juices. Its meaning then broadened to nourishing, cultivation, and propagation, actions that foster growth, and later extended to taste, flavor, and nutrients.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这汤滋味很好。

Zhè tāng zīwèi hěn hǎo.

This soup tastes very good.

雨水滋润了大地。

Yǔshuǐ zīrùn le dàdì.

The rain moistened the earth.

牛奶滋养身体。

Niúnǎi zīyǎng shēntǐ.

Milk nourishes the body.

潮湿环境容易滋生细菌。

Cháoshī huánjìng róngyì zīshēng xìjūn.

Damp environments easily breed bacteria.

骄傲会滋长失败。

Jiāo'ào huì zīzhǎng shībài.

Pride can foster failure.

他喜欢在公众场合滋事。

Tā xǐhuān zài gōngzhòng chǎnghé zīshì.

He likes to cause trouble in public places.

良好的教育能滋育人的心灵。

Liánghǎo de jiàoyù néng zīyù rén de xīnlíng.

Good education can nourish the human spirit.

这种肥料能促进植物滋生新根。

Zhè zhǒng féiliào néng cùjìn zhíwù zīshēng xīn gēn.

This fertilizer can promote plants to grow new roots.

Related Characters

Component: 兹

Component: 氵

滋