茨

cí

次 + 艹

Definitions

cí (verb) to thatch (a roof)

cí (noun) caltrop (Tribulus terrestris)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 次 represents the sound.

Semantic: 艹 Phonetic: 次

About

茨 is a phono-semantic compound: the grass radical 艹 on top indicates a plant-related meaning, and the phonetic 次 below gives the sound. Its primary historical meaning is thatch, reed, or similar dried plant material used for roofing humble dwellings. Another important meaning is puncture vine (caltrop), a creeping plant with sharp, thorny seeds; this led to the character also being used for thorny terrain or metaphorical hidden obstacles.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

茨城是日本的一个县。

Cí chéng shì Rìběn de yī gè xiàn.

Ibaraki is a prefecture in Japan.

茨藜是一种带刺的植物。

Cí lí shì yī zhǒng dài cì de zhíwù.

Thistle is a type of prickly plant.

我在茨城县参观过博物馆。

Wǒ zài Cí chéng xiàn cānguān guò bówùguǎn.

I have visited a museum in Ibaraki prefecture.

茨菇可以用于烹饪美味的汤。

Cí gū kěyǐ yòng yú pēngrèn měiwèi de tāng.

Arrowhead can be used to cook delicious soup.

茨木市位于日本的大阪府。

Cí mù shì wèiyú Rìběn de Dàbǎn fǔ.

Ibaraki City is located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

茨藜的果实虽然小，但很有营养。

Cí lí de guǒshí suīrán xiǎo, dàn hěn yǒu yíngyǎng.

Although the fruit of thistle is small, it is very nutritious.

在茨城旅行时，我尝到了当地的特产。

Zài Cí chéng lǚxíng shí, wǒ cháng dào le dāngdì de tèchǎn.

When traveling in Ibaraki, I tasted local specialties.

茨菇的生长需要湿润的土壤和充足阳光。

Cí gū de shēngzhǎng xūyào shīrùn de tǔrǎng hé chōngzú yángguāng.

The growth of arrowhead requires moist soil and ample sunlight.

Related Characters

Component: 次

Component: 艹

茨