蔷

薔

qiáng

啬 + 艹

Frequency#3941

Definitions

qiáng used in 薔薇|蔷薇[qiáng wēi]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 啬 represents the sound. Simplified form of 薔.

Semantic: 艹 Phonetic: 啬

About

The traditional character "薔" is structured with the grass radical "艹" above the component "嗇", which served primarily as a phonetic element while echoing associations with cultivation or gathering. Originally denoting a general plant type in early texts, its meaning narrowed over centuries through sustained use in the compound "蔷薇", where it specifically identifies the rose. The simplified form "蔷" retains the grass radical but substitutes "嗇" with the streamlined "啬", reflecting a structural adjustment that preserves the core botanical reference. Consequently, the character's independent semantic value faded, and it is now almost exclusively encountered within the term for rose.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

墙角开满了蔷薇。

Qiángjiǎo kāi mǎnle qiángwēi.

The corner of the wall is full of roses.

她最喜欢蔷薇的香气。

Tā zuì xǐhuān qiángwēi de xiāngqì.

She likes the fragrance of roses the most.

我在花园里种了蔷薇。

Wǒ zài huāyuán lǐ zhòngle qiángwēi.

I planted roses in the garden.

这丛蔷薇需要经常修剪。

Zhè cóng qiángwēi xūyào jīngcháng xiūjiǎn.

This rose bush needs frequent pruning.

蔷薇的刺小心别扎到手。

Qiángwēi de cì xiǎoxīn bié zhā dào shǒu.

Be careful not to get pricked by the rose's thorns.

雨后蔷薇显得更加娇艳。

Yǔ hòu qiángwēi xiǎnde gèngjiā jiāoyàn.

After the rain, the roses appear even more delicate and bright.

他精心培育的蔷薇获奖了。

Tā jīngxīn péiyù de qiángwēi huòjiǎng le.

The rose he carefully cultivated won an award.

那些攀爬的蔷薇构成了一幅生动的壁画。

Nàxiē pānpá de qiángwēi gòuchéngle yī fú shēngdòng de bìhuà.

Those climbing roses form a vivid mural.

Related Characters

Component: 啬

Component: 艹

蔷