Definitions

(adjective) coarse; rough; thick
(adjective) crude; unrefined

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "粗" is structured with the "米" component representing rice and "且" potentially acting as a phonetic element, originating in the specific meaning of unpolished or coarse rice. From this concrete noun, its semantic field expanded to function as an adjective describing physical properties like roughness and thickness, as well as metaphorical ones like crudeness or rudeness. The traditional counterpart "麤", composed of three "鹿" characters, reflects an earlier association with coarse animal hide, but the modern form "粗" emphasizes the granular quality through its "米" radical, marking a shift in conceptual focus while retaining the core notion of coarseness.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这根绳子很

Zhè gēn shéng zi hěn cū.

This rope is very thick.

他说话声音

Tā shuō huà shēng yīn cū.

He speaks with a rough voice.

糙的桌面不舒服。

Cū cāo de zhuō miàn bù shū fu.

The rough table surface is uncomfortable.

心的人常犯错。

Cū xīn de rén cháng fàn cuò.

Careless people often make mistakes.

多吃粮有益健康。

Duō chī cū liáng yǒu yì jiàn kāng.

Eating more coarse grains is beneficial to health.

他的态度有些鲁。

Tā de tài dù yǒu xiē cū lǔ.

His attitude is somewhat rude.

这幅画的线条很

Zhè fú huà de xiàn tiáo hěn cū.

The lines in this painting are very thick.

俗的语言不受欢迎。

Cū sú de yǔ yán bù shòu huān yíng.

Vulgar language is not welcome.