榆

yú

俞 + 木

Definitions

yú (noun) elm

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 俞 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 俞

About

榆 (yú) is a phono-semantic compound denoting the elm tree. The semantic radical 木 (mù) places it within the botanical category of trees and timber. The component 俞 (yú) provides only the pronunciation. Historically, the elm was valued for its durable, water-resistant wood, which was used in construction, furniture-making, and crafting agricultural implements, making the character common in texts related to woodworking and ecology.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

院子里有一棵榆树。

Yuànzi lǐ yǒu yī kē yú shù.

There is an elm tree in the yard.

榆树的叶子很绿。

Yú shù de yèzi hěn lǜ.

The leaves of the elm tree are very green.

我喜欢榆木做的家具。

Wǒ xǐhuān yú mù zuò de jiājù.

I like furniture made from elm wood.

春天时，榆钱可以吃。

Chūntiān shí, yú qián kěyǐ chī.

In spring, elm seeds can be eaten.

我们在榆树下乘凉。

Wǒmen zài yú shù xià chéngliáng.

We are cooling off under the elm tree.

这座老房子有榆木地板。

Zhè zuò lǎo fángzi yǒu yú mù dìbǎn.

This old house has elm wood flooring.

如果榆树生病了，要及时治疗。

Rúguǒ yú shù shēngbìng le, yào jíshí zhìliáo.

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

虽然榆木坚硬，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.

Related Characters

Component: 俞

Component: 木

榆