About
The character "柏" is a phono-semantic compound consisting of the semantic component "木", which classifies it within the category of trees, and the phonetic component "白", which historically guided its pronunciation. Its structure has remained consistent throughout its use, primarily denoting trees of the cypress family, which have been recognized for their longevity and sturdy wood in cultural contexts. In early literary works, such as the Classic of Poetry, the character was employed in metaphorical expressions like "柏舟" to symbolize steadfastness and moral integrity, leveraging the tree's perennial nature. While its core botanical meaning has persisted unchanged, the character's application broadened in later periods to form compound words such as "柏油", where it refers to asphalt, a material originally derived from tree resins. This expansion into utilitarian terminology demonstrates how the character's inherent arboreal associations facilitated a gradual extension of its semantic range without displacing its original definition.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
公园里有一棵柏树。
柏树的叶子是绿色的。
我们在柏树下乘凉。
这条马路铺了柏油。
柏林是德国的首都。
松柏在冬天依然常青。
他姓柏是一位著名的医生。
为了保护古柏政府制定了相关法规。