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 phonosemantic compound that names the elm tree and its wood. The left-side radical 木 (mù), meaning 'tree' or 'wood', establishes the character in the semantic domain of trees and timber, while the right-side element 俞 (yú) is a phonetic component that gives the sound. In historical China, the elm was prized for its tough, water-resistant wood, which was extensively used in construction, furniture making, and agricultural implements; as a result, the character commonly appears in texts about woodworking and landscape 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