Definitions

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

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

As a phono-semantic compound, 粗 pairs the rice radical 米 on the left, indicating its original connection to agricultural products, with the right component 且, which primarily serves as a phonetic element. Its earliest meaning referred to unpolished, unrefined rice grains still covered in their rough husks, in contrast to fine, processed rice. This sense of a coarse, unrefined texture naturally extended to describe any material or surface that is physically rough, thick, or uneven. From there, the meaning expanded further to characterize behaviors, language, or manners as unrefined, careless, vulgar, or lacking in subtlety and precision.

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.