Definitions
(noun)
bean; pea
(noun)
sacrificial vessel
Etymology
Pictograph of a stemmed bowl. Based on the original meaning "vessel with a neck". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
About
豆 originated as a pictograph of a stemmed ceremonial vessel, a bowl with a sturdy base and lid used for ritual food offerings. Through a phonetic loan, the character was repurposed to represent legumes, specifically beans and peas, due to similar pronunciation in spoken language. It subsequently became the foundational term for all beans and bean-derived products, such as tofu and soy sauce. The original meaning of the ceremonial vessel persisted only in historical and archaeological contexts.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我每天喝豆浆。
妈妈煮了红豆汤。
弟弟不喜欢吃豆腐。
我们把豆子放在锅里。
因为健康，我常吃豆芽。
她用豆沙做了甜点。
这些土豆是从农场买的。
研究表明，大豆富含蛋白质。