朱

硃
zhū

Definitions

zhū (adjective) vermilion; red
zhū (noun) cinnabar

Etymology

Pictograph of a tree (木) with a mark indicating where the trunk is. Based on the original meaning "tree trunk", now written as 株. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 朱 originated as a pictograph of a tree (木) with a short horizontal stroke added to the center, marking the trunk. This pointed to the original meaning "tree trunk", a word that later acquired the distinct written form 株. Through phonetic borrowing, the same character came to signify vermilion, a brilliant reddish-orange pigment made from cinnabar. The color assumed great cultural importance, used in the decoration of buildings, the carving of official seals, and the marking of imperial documents. Over time, the color meaning overtook the original, and 朱 now functions as the standard term for deep red. It remains a very common family name.

Example Sentences Hide

朱先生是我的老师。

Zhū xiānshì shì wǒ de lǎoshī.

Mr. Zhu is my teacher.

这朵花是朱红色的。

Zhè duǒ huā shì zhūhóng sè de.

This flower is vermilion red.

朱砂是一种矿物。

Zhūshā shì yī zhǒng kuàngwù.

Cinnabar is a type of mineral.

那扇朱门很古老。

Nà shàn zhūmén hěn gǔlǎo.

That red door is very ancient.

她喜欢朱红色的裙子。

Tā xǐhuān zhūhóng sè de qúnzi.

She likes vermilion red skirts.

朱教授在大学里教历史。

Zhū jiàoshòu zài dàxué lǐ jiāo lìshǐ.

Professor Zhu teaches history at the university.

这幅画用了很多朱砂来调色。

Zhè fú huà yòngle hěnduō zhūshā lái tiáosè.

This painting used a lot of cinnabar for color mixing.

在古代，朱门通常代表富贵和权力。

Zài gǔdài, zhūmén tōngcháng dàibiǎo fùguì hé quánlì.

In ancient times, red doors usually represented wealth and power.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

殊 珠 株 蛛 诛 铢 侏 茱 洙 姝 邾 硃 鼄 咮

Component: 朱

殊 珠 株 蛛 诛 铢 侏 茱 洙 姝 邾 硃 鼄 咮

Example Words

朱古力 朱元璋 朱利安 朱德 朱熹 朱砂 朱红 朱自清 朱莉娅 朱诺 朱镕基 朱雀 朱丽叶 朱鹮 朱允炆 朱子 朱孝天 朱棣 朱温 朱熔基 朱祁镇 朱立伦 朱丽亚