Definitions

suàn (noun) garlic

Etymology phono-semantic

herb

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "蒜", denoting garlic, is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the grass radical "艹" indicating its botanical nature and the component "算" serving primarily as a phonetic marker to suggest its sound. Etymologically, the term has been used since early Chinese records to refer specifically to the garlic plant, often noted in contexts related to cuisine and traditional medicine. Its form has remained consistent in construction over time, with the semantic focus narrowly maintained on garlic, showing no substantive expansion or deviation in meaning throughout its historical usage. The phonetic element, while carrying its own semantic value in other contexts, functions here solely to preserve auditory consistency within the character's evolution.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃大

Wǒ xǐhuān chī dàsuàn.

I like to eat garlic.

可以调味。

Dàsuàn kěyǐ tiáowèi.

Garlic can be used for seasoning.

妈妈买了许多

Māma mǎile xǔduō suàn.

Mom bought a lot of garlic.

蓉扇贝很好吃。

Suànróng shànbèi hěn hào chī.

Garlic scallops are delicious.

对身体有好处。

Chī suàn duì shēntǐ yǒu hǎochù.

Eating garlic is good for health.

这道菜需要加末。

Zhè dào cài xūyào jiā suànmò.

This dish needs to add minced garlic.

的价格最近上涨了。

Suàn de jiàgé zuìjìn shàngzhǎng le.

The price of garlic has risen recently.

种植大需要肥沃的土壤。

Zhòngzhí dàsuàn xūyào féiwò de tǔrǎng.

Growing garlic requires fertile soil.