玫

méi

攵 + 王

Definitions

méi (fine jade); used in 玫瑰[méi guī]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 玉 represents the meaning and 文 represents the sound.

Semantic: 王 Phonetic: 攵

About

The character 玫 is a phono-semantic compound, with the jade radical 王 on the left serving as the semantic component and 文 (wén) on the right as the phonetic marker. The jade radical indicates its original meaning, a type of fine, sparkling red gemstone or beautiful pearl. In modern Chinese, this gemstone sense is largely obsolete; the character now functions almost exclusively as the first part of the word for rose, using its phonetic value and historical link to vibrant beauty to name the popular ornamental plant.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她送我一朵玫瑰。

Tā sòng wǒ yī duǒ méiguī.

She gave me a rose.

玫瑰的颜色很红。

Méiguī de yánsè hěn hóng.

The rose's color is very red.

花园里有许多玫瑰。

Huāyuán lǐ yǒu xǔduō méiguī.

There are many roses in the garden.

这些玫瑰非常美丽。

Zhèxiē méiguī fēicháng měilì.

These roses are very beautiful.

他每天给玫瑰浇水。

Tā měitiān gěi méiguī jiāo shuǐ.

He waters the roses every day.

玫瑰的香味让人心情愉快。

Méiguī de xiāngwèi ràng rén xīnqíng yúkuài.

The fragrance of roses makes people feel happy.

如果你送她玫瑰，她会很高兴。

Rúguǒ nǐ sòng tā méiguī, tā huì hěn gāoxìng.

If you give her roses, she will be very happy.

在清晨的露水中，玫瑰显得格外娇艳。

Zài qīngchén de lùshuǐ zhōng, méiguī xiǎndé géwài jiāoyàn.

In the morning dew, roses appear especially delicate and gorgeous.

Related Characters

Component: 攵

Component: 王

玫