素

sù

糸 + 龶

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

sù (adjective) plain; unadorned; simple

sù (adjective) white; plain (color)

sù (noun) raw silk

sù (adjective) vegetarian

sù (noun) element; constituent

sù (noun) nature; essence

sù (adverb) usually; always

Etymology

Depicts raw silk (糸) hanging from a rack.

About

The character 素 depicts raw silk (糸) hanging from a rack, with the silk component at the bottom. Its original meaning was undyed, plain white silk, raw fabric before coloring or patterning. From this literal sense, it broadened into abstract concepts of something fundamental, basic, original, or unadorned, which persist in modern uses for essential elements, basic substances, and vegetarian diets emphasizing plain, plant-based foods.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃素食。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī sùshí.

I like to eat vegetarian food.

他的素质很好。

Tā de sùzhì hěn hǎo.

His quality is very good.

水是重要元素。

Shuǐ shì zhòngyào yuánsù.

Water is an important element.

她穿得很朴素。

Tā chuān de hěn pǔsù.

She dresses very simply.

时间是一个关键因素。

Shíjiān shì yīgè guānjiàn yīnsù.

Time is a key factor.

他有很高的文化素养。

Tā yǒu hěn gāo de wénhuà sùyǎng.

He has high cultural accomplishment.

我在美术课学习素描。

Wǒ zài měishùkè xuéxí sùmiáo.

I am learning sketching in art class.

维生素对于保持健康至关重要。

Wéishēngsù duìyú bǎochí jiànkāng zhìguān zhòngyào.

Vitamins are crucial for maintaining health.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 糸

Component: 龶

Example Words