About
The character "茄" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the grass radical "艹" to denote its plant category with the phonetic component "加" which suggests its pronunciation. Etymologically, it initially appeared in early Chinese texts referring to the stem of the lotus plant, but over centuries its primary meaning shifted to designate the eggplant, a usage that became dominant in later periods. This semantic transition reflects changes in agricultural and culinary practices, where the eggplant gained prominence in East Asian cultures. The character's form has remained consistent, without significant graphical alterations, and it continues to be used in modern Chinese primarily for the eggplant, as seen in words like "茄子", while also appearing in compounds such as "番茄" for tomato.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我爱吃茄子。
妈妈买了两个番茄。
今天晚餐有红烧茄子。
番茄炒蛋是一道家常菜。
这种茄子品种来自日本。
他正在大棚里采摘茄子。
茄子富含多种维生素和纤维。
根据研究，番茄红素有益健康。