Definitions

(adjective) plain; unadorned; simple
(adjective) white; plain (color)
(noun) raw silk
(adjective) vegetarian
(noun) element; constituent
(noun) nature; essence
(adverb) usually; always

Etymology

Depicts raw silk () hanging from a rack.

About

The character 素 has the silk radical 糸 at the bottom, linking it to textiles. Its original meaning was undyed or white silk, a plain, raw material. This literal sense of being unadorned extended to abstract ideas of what is fundamental, basic, or original. The character now denotes essential elements, basic components (as in chemistry), and a vegetarian diet centered on plain foods.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃食。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī sùshí.

I like to eat vegetarian food.

他的质很好。

Tā de sùzhì hěn hǎo.

His quality is very good.

水是重要元

Shuǐ shì zhòngyào yuánsù.

Water is an important element.

她穿得很朴

Tā chuān de hěn pǔsù.

She dresses very simply.

时间是一个关键因

Shíjiān shì yīgè guānjiàn yīnsù.

Time is a key factor.

他有很高的文化养。

Tā yǒu hěn gāo de wénhuà sùyǎng.

He has high cultural accomplishment.

我在美术课学习描。

Wǒ zài měishùkè xuéxí sùmiáo.

I am learning sketching in art class.

维生对于保持健康至关重要。

Wéishēngsù duìyú bǎochí jiànkāng zhìguān zhòngyào.

Vitamins are crucial for maintaining health.