About
翠 is a phono-semantic compound. The top component 羽 (yǔ), meaning "feathers", provides the semantic category, linking the character to birds. The bottom component 卒 (zú) acts as the phonetic element. Originally, the character referred specifically to the kingfisher, and more precisely to the vibrant blue and green feathers of the female bird, which were prized for jewelry and inlay. From the striking color of these feathers, the meaning shifted to denote the color itself, a vivid emerald or bluish-green. This color term is often used to describe high-quality jade and lush vegetation.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这片树叶非常翠绿。
翠鸟站在河边的树枝上。
雨后，远处的山峦显得格外苍翠。
她戴着一只翡翠手镯，晶莹剔透。
阳光透过翠绿的竹林，洒下斑驳的光影。
设计师用翠色的丝绸为礼服增添了生机。
翡翠市场里陈列着各种雕工精美的饰品。
他笔下那片翠色欲滴的荷塘，充满了盛夏的活力。