Definitions

wild grain

Etymology phono-semantic

grain

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character , a simplified version of , refers to wild grain that grows spontaneously, without human planting. Both forms feature the semantic component ('grain' or 'seedling') on the left, signaling the agricultural domain. In the simplified character, the right side is the phonetic , which replaces the more complex found in the traditional form. This substitution reduces the stroke count, making writing easier, while preserving the original pronunciation and the long-standing meaning of self-sown or wild crops.