Definitions

cāo rough; coarse (in texture)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "糙" is structurally composed of the semantic element 米, denoting rice, combined with 造, which functions phonetically but also carries connotations of fabrication or creation. This configuration originally pointed to the state of rice that had not been polished, thus directly indicating a coarse or unfinished grain. Over time, the term's application moved beyond this specific agricultural reference to describe any material possessing a rough or uneven texture, and subsequently its usage was extended metaphorically to qualify workmanship, language, or conduct that appears unrefined or crude. This evolution from a concrete, object-specific meaning to a broader descriptive and abstract adjective illustrates how the character's inherent logic, embedded in its components, supported a widening of its semantic field while retaining a core idea of lack of smoothness or finish.

Example Sentences Hide

这个表面很粗

Zhège biǎomiàn hěn cūcāo.

This surface is very rough.

米比白米更健康。

Cāomǐ bǐ báimǐ gèng jiànkāng.

Brown rice is healthier than white rice.

他的皮肤粗干燥。

Tā de pífū cūcāo gānzào.

His skin is rough and dry.

这件衣服的布料有点

Zhè jiàn yīfu de bùliào yǒudiǎn cāo.

The fabric of this clothing is a bit rough.

米饭虽然口感粗,但营养丰富。

Cāomǐ fàn suīrán kǒugǎn cūcāo, dàn yíngyǎng fēngfù.

Although brown rice has a rough texture, it is nutritious.

他说话方式直接而粗,容易得罪人。

Tā shuōhuà fāngshì zhíjiē ér cūcāo, róngyì dézuì rén.

His way of speaking is direct and rough, easily offending people.

经过处理的木材保留了自然纹理。

Jīngguò cāo chǔlǐ de mùcái bǎoliú le zìrán wénlǐ.

The wood that underwent rough treatment retains its natural grain.

在艺术创作中,他故意采用粗的笔触来表现原始情感。

Zài yìshù chuàngzuò zhōng, tā gùyì cǎiyòng cūcāo de bǐchù lái biǎoxiàn yuánshǐ qínggǎn.

In artistic creation, he deliberately uses rough brushstrokes to express primitive emotions.