Definitions

zhí (verb) to plant; to grow

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 植 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic radical 木 (wood/tree) on the left with the component 直 (straight/upright) on the right. The 木 radical indicates a connection to plants or vegetation, while 直 provides both phonetic guidance and semantic input, suggesting the idea of something being set upright. Originally, 植 referred to a wooden stake driven straight into the ground. This notion of vertical placement gradually evolved, shifting the character's primary meaning to the act of planting seeds, trees, or crops. Today, it broadly signifies planting, cultivating flora, or establishing something in a firm, upright position.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我种了一棵树。

Wo zhongzhi le yi ke shu.

I planted a tree.

物需要阳光和水。

Zhiwu xuyao yangguang he shui.

Plants need sunlight and water.

他们在公园里树。

Tamen zai gongyuan li zhishu.

They are planting trees in the park.

这片土地被茂盛。

Zhe pian tudi zhibei maosheng.

The vegetation on this land is lush.

医生建议移器官。

Yisheng jianyi yizhi qiguan.

The doctor suggested organ transplantation.

农业种技术很重要。

Nongye zhongzhi jishu hen zhongyao.

Agricultural planting technology is very important.

环境保护需要树造林。

Huanjing baohu xuyao zhishu zaolin.

Environmental protection requires tree planting and afforestation.

科学家研究物基因工程。

Kexuejia yanjiu zhiwu jiyin gongcheng.

Scientists study plant genetic engineering.