种

種

zhǒng, zhòng

中 + 禾

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Frequency#57

Definitions

zhǒng (noun) kind; type; species

zhǒng (noun) seed

zhòng (verb) to plant; to grow; to cultivate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound. Simplified form of 種.

Semantic: 禾 Phonetic: 中

About

The character "种" originates from its traditional form "種", which combines the semantic component "禾" indicating grain or crop with the phonetic component "重", initially conveying meanings related to sowing seeds and planting. From these agricultural origins, the character's meaning broadened to include abstract classifications such as type, breed, or kind. The simplified form "种" retains the "禾" radical but replaces "重" with "中", another phonetic element, while continuing to represent both the act of cultivation and categorical distinctions.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一种美丽的花。

Zhè shì yī zhǒng měilì de huā.

This is a kind of beautiful flower.

他非常喜欢种树。

Tā fēicháng xǐhuān zhòng shù.

He really likes to plant trees.

超市有很多种水果。

Chāoshì yǒu hěn duō zhǒng shuǐguǒ.

The supermarket has many kinds of fruits.

农民在田里种植水稻。

Nóngmín zài tián lǐ zhòngzhí shuǐdào.

Farmers plant rice in the fields.

我们需要保护各种野生动物。

Wǒmen xūyào bǎohù gè zhǒng yěshēng dòngwù.

We need to protect all kinds of wild animals.

这种新技术能提高生产效率。

Zhè zhǒng xīn jìshù néng tígāo shēngchǎn xiàolǜ.

This new technology can improve production efficiency.

他们在实验室里培育新品种。

Tāmen zài shíyàn shì lǐ péiyù xīn pǐnzhǒng.

They are cultivating new varieties in the laboratory.

根据不同的土壤条件，选择适宜的种植方式很重要。

Gēnjù bùtóng de tǔrǎng tiáojiàn, xuǎnzé shìyí de zhòngzhí fāngshì hěn zhòngyào.

According to different soil conditions, choosing suitable planting methods is important.

Related Characters

Component: 中

Component: 禾

种