About
The character 蕉, primarily meaning "banana plant" today, is structured with the grass radical (艹) on top, classifying it as a botanical term, and the component 焦 below, which historically served a dual role as both a phonetic indicator and a semantic hint. While 焦 itself means "scorched" or "burned", its inclusion here likely alludes to the appearance of the large, broad leaves of plants like the banana or plantain, which can brown and wither at the edges, giving a dried or burnt impression. Over time, the character's meaning narrowed and specialized; it once referred more broadly to certain plants with large leaves or specific plant fibers, but its application became firmly fixed on the banana and its relatives, a shift solidified through centuries of literary and common usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
香蕉是一种水果。
妹妹每天吃香蕉。
香蕉的皮是黄色的。
芭蕉树长得很高。
超市里的香蕉很新鲜。
香蕉比苹果更柔软。
因为香蕉有营养，所以我常吃。
热带地区盛产香蕉和芭蕉。