About
The character 蒯 (kuǎi) is a phono-semantic compound originally denoting a type of rush or coarse grass used in weaving mats, baskets, and ropes. Its structure combines the semantic radical 艹 (cǎo), indicating a plant, with a lower phonetic component that guides pronunciation. While historically common in agricultural contexts, the character is now primarily used as an uncommon Chinese surname rather than a botanical term.