Definitions

shǔ (noun) sweet potato; yam

Etymology phono-semantic

plant

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "薯" has consistently represented edible tuberous plants, with its structure clearly indicating this botanical category through the "艹" (grass/plant) radical at the top. Its primary phonetic component, "署", which historically carried meanings related to arrangement or office, primarily provides a sound clue rather than a semantic one. While its core meaning has remained stable, the specific plants denoted by the character shifted with agricultural and cultural exchange; it was historically used for plants like yams or taro in early Chinese texts, but later became the standard reference for the introduced sweet potato and, by extension, other similar tubers like the potato, reflecting the adoption of New World crops into the diet and language. The character has not undergone structural simplification, maintaining its traditional form.

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃片。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī shǔpiàn.

I like eating potato chips.

这种红很甜。

Zhè zhǒng hóngshǔ hěn tián.

This kind of sweet potato is sweet.

马铃可以煮着吃。

Mǎlíngshǔ kěyǐ zhǔ zhe chī.

Potatoes can be boiled and eaten.

超市里有卖条。

Chāoshì lǐ yǒu mài shǔtiáo.

The supermarket sells french fries.

条是我的最爱。

Zhá shǔtiáo shì wǒ de zuì ài.

Fried french fries are my favorite.

这种片口味很独特。

Zhè zhǒng shǔpiàn kǒuwèi hěn dútè.

This type of potato chip has a unique flavor.

农民们正在收获红

Nóngmín men zhèngzài shōuhuò hóngshǔ.

The farmers are harvesting sweet potatoes.

烤红在冬天特别受欢迎。

Kǎo hóngshǔ zài dōngtiān tèbié shòu huānyíng.

Roasted sweet potatoes are especially popular in winter.