Definitions

(noun) elm

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "榆", which denotes the elm tree, is etymologically a phono-semantic compound that combines the semantic radical "木", meaning wood or tree, with the phonetic component "俞" to indicate its pronunciation. This structural formation has persisted without alteration, as the traditional form of the character retains these core components. Throughout its historical usage, the meaning of "榆" has remained specifically anchored to the elm tree, a hardy deciduous species, and has not expanded into broader semantic fields, reflecting a consistent lexical purpose from classical contexts to modern application.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

院子里有一棵树。

Yuànzi lǐ yǒu yī kē yú shù.

There is an elm tree in the yard.

树的叶子很绿。

Yú shù de yèzi hěn lǜ.

The leaves of the elm tree are very green.

我喜欢木做的家具。

Wǒ xǐhuān yú mù zuò de jiājù.

I like furniture made from elm wood.

春天时,钱可以吃。

Chūntiān shí, yú qián kěyǐ chī.

In spring, elm seeds can be eaten.

我们在树下乘凉。

Wǒmen zài yú shù xià chéngliáng.

We are cooling off under the elm tree.

这座老房子有木地板。

Zhè zuò lǎo fángzi yǒu yú mù dìbǎn.

This old house has elm wood flooring.

如果树生病了,要及时治疗。

Rúguǒ yú shù shēngbìng le, yào jíshí zhìliáo.

If the elm tree gets sick, it should be treated promptly.

虽然木坚硬,但工匠们喜欢用它雕刻。

Suīrán yú mù jiānyìng, dàn gōngjiàng men xǐhuān yòng tā diāokè.

Although elm wood is hard, craftsmen like to use it for carving.