Definitions

jiā reed; Phragmites communis

Etymology phono-semantic

grass

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is composed of the grass radical () atop the phonetic element , indicating a plant whose pronunciation follows . It refers to reeds or rushes, specifically those growing in shallow water or marshes before blooming. In classical literature and poetry, it frequently evokes imagery of autumn, water margins, and melancholy, carrying significant poetic resonance.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern