About
The character "荔" originates from a structure combining the grass radical "艹" with the phonetic and semantic component "劦", which conveys a sense of multiple forces or threads, suggesting a plant with fibrous qualities. Its earliest applications were as part of the term "薜荔", referring to a type of climbing fig or vine, indicating its initial botanical association. Over centuries, the character's usage became narrowly specialized, solidifying almost exclusively to denote the lychee fruit, a meaning derived through phonetic borrowing rather than direct pictorial representation. The traditional form of the character is identical to its simplified version, with its components clearly preserving the idea of a plant, while its semantic journey reflects a shift from a general vegetal reference to a specific and culturally significant fruiting tree.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我喜欢吃荔枝。
这是新鲜的荔枝。
荔枝的味道很甜。
妈妈买了很多荔枝。
每年夏天我们都会吃荔枝。
这家店的荔枝冰沙非常清爽。
荔枝的果肉洁白而且多汁。
这种新品种的荔枝比普通的更甜。