Definitions
branch; stem; stalk; CL:根[gēn]; to block; to hinder; (neologism that evolved from 哏[gén], initially in Taiwan, during the first decade of the 21st century) memorable creative idea (joke, catchphrase, meme, neologism, witty remark etc); prominent feature of a creative work (punchline of a joke, trope in a drama, special ingredient in a dish, riff in a pop song etc)
About
The character 梗 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 木 (wood) on the left, indicating its connection to plants, and the phonetic component 更 on the right, which provides its pronunciation. Originally, it referred to the stiff stems or branches of plants. From this core meaning of rigidity, it expanded to concepts like obstruction, a stubborn personality, or the broad outline of a story. In contemporary internet culture, it also commonly means a punchline, meme, or recurring joke.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这花梗很长。
这个梗很好笑。
他写了故事梗概。
他心脏梗塞了。
交通梗阻很严重。
网络流行梗传播很快。
这个梗的出处是那部电影。
如果你不懂这个梗，就无法理解笑话的笑点。