Definitions

used in 葫蘆|葫芦[hú lu]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 葫, primarily used in the compound 葫芦 for "gourd", is a phonosemantic compound formed by the grass radical 艹 atop the phonetic component 胡, a structure that clearly associates it with botanical categories while indicating its pronunciation through the latter element. The phonetic part 胡 carries its own semantic fields, but within this character it functions essentially to supply sound, reflecting a standard method of character creation where meaning and sound are combined. Historically, 葫 has referred specifically to the gourd plant, and its meaning has remained consistently narrow without broadening or shifting to other concepts over time, demonstrating a stable lexical role within the language.

Example Sentences Hide

我有一个大芦。

Wǒ yǒu yī gè dà húlu.

I have a big gourd.

这个芦很漂亮。

Zhège húlu hěn piàoliang.

This gourd is very beautiful.

妈妈买了一个芦。

Māmā mǎi le yī gè húlu.

Mom bought a gourd.

他会吹芦丝。

Tā huì chuī húlúsī.

He can play the hulusi.

昨天我在市场看到芦。

Zuótiān wǒ zài shìchǎng kàn dào húlu.

Yesterday I saw gourds at the market.

孩子们喜欢看芦娃。

Háizimen xǐhuān kàn Húlúwá.

Children like to watch Huluwa.

那个芦里装着美味的酒。

Nàge húlu lǐ zhuāng zhe měiwèi de jiǔ.

That gourd contains delicious wine.

她用芦制作了一个精美的工艺品。

Tā yòng húlu zhìzuò le yī gè jīngměi de gōngyìpǐn.

She made a fine craftwork using a gourd.