粗

觕/麤

cū

且 + 米

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

cū (adjective) coarse; rough; thick

cū (adjective) crude; unrefined

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 米 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound.

Semantic: 米 Phonetic: 且

About

The character combines the rice radical 米 on the left, indicating the semantic field of grains, with the phonetic component 且 on the right. Its earliest meaning was unpolished rice grains with their rough husks still attached, standing in contrast to refined grains. From this agricultural context, the meaning broadened to describe any coarse, rough, or thick physical texture. It later also came to denote unrefined, careless, or vulgar behavior, speech, or manners, lacking subtlety or attention to detail.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这根绳子很粗。

Zhè gēn shéng zi hěn cū.

This rope is very thick.

他说话声音粗。

Tā shuō huà shēng yīn cū.

He speaks with a rough voice.

粗糙的桌面不舒服。

Cū cāo de zhuō miàn bù shū fu.

The rough table surface is uncomfortable.

粗心的人常犯错。

Cū xīn de rén cháng fàn cuò.

Careless people often make mistakes.

多吃粗粮有益健康。

Duō chī cū liáng yǒu yì jiàn kāng.

Eating more coarse grains is beneficial to health.

他的态度有些粗鲁。

Tā de tài dù yǒu xiē cū lǔ.

His attitude is somewhat rude.

这幅画的线条很粗。

Zhè fú huà de xiàn tiáo hěn cū.

The lines in this painting are very thick.

粗俗的语言不受欢迎。

Cū sú de yǔ yán bù shòu huān yíng.

Vulgar language is not welcome.

Related Characters

Component: 且

Component: 米

粗