Definitions

chá (noun) tea; tea plant

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic:

About

is a phonosemantic compound: the grass radical gives the plant meaning, while (yú) hints at the sound. It evolved from the older character , which had an extra stroke and originally referred to a bitter weed. As the cultivation and consumption of tea became culturally important, that stroke was removed to form the distinct character , and the meaning narrowed from a general term for bitter vegetation to the Camellia sinensis plant and the aromatic drink brewed from its cured leaves.

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢喝

Wǒ xǐhuān hē chá.

I like drinking tea.

这是一杯绿

Zhè shì yī bēi lǜchá.

This is a cup of green tea.

中国很好喝。

Zhōngguó chá hěn hǎohē.

Chinese tea is very tasty.

妈妈每天泡

Māma měitiān pào chá.

Mom brews tea every day.

味道很香。

Zhè chá wèidào hěn xiāng.

This tea smells very fragrant.

我去商店买叶。

Wǒ qù shāngdiàn mǎi cháyè.

I go to the store to buy tea leaves.

如果累了,就喝杯吧。

Rúguǒ lèile, jiù hē bēi chá ba.

If you're tired, have a cup of tea.

不仅能提神,还有益健康。

Hē chá bùjǐn néng tíshén, hái yǒuyì jiànkāng.

Drinking tea not only refreshes but also benefits health.