Definitions
surname Cai
Etymology
About
The character 蔡 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component is the grass radical 艹 at the top, indicating its original meaning was a type of wild grass. The lower part 祭 (jì), meaning "sacrifice" or "ritual", serves as the phonetic element. Over time, its botanical sense was eclipsed after it became the name of an ancient vassal state during the Zhou Dynasty, which is now its primary use as a common Chinese surname.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
蔡先生是中国人。
我的朋友姓蔡。
蔡老师教我们数学。
蔡英文是台湾地区的领导人。
这本书是蔡邕写的。
我们去上蔡县旅游。
蔡伦发明了造纸术。
蔡氏家族在历史上很有名。