Definitions

cuì (adjective) emerald green; kingfisher blue
cuì (adjective) jade green

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 翠, formed from the semantic element 羽 meaning 'feather' and the phonetic component 卒, originally referred to the kingfisher bird, whose bright feathers were highly valued. From this zoological origin, the term's meaning expanded to encompass the distinctive green hue of those feathers, and later it was applied to green gemstones like jadeite. This evolution reflects a transition from a concrete ornithological term to a more abstract color designation and a label for precious minerals, with the character's structure still hinting at its avian beginnings.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这片树叶非常绿。

Zhè piàn shùyè fēichāng cuìlǜ.

This leaf is very emerald green.

鸟站在河边的树枝上。

Cuìniǎo zhàn zài hé biān de shùzhī shàng.

The kingfisher is standing on a branch by the river.

雨后,远处的山峦显得格外苍

Yǔ hòu, yuǎn chù de shānluán xiǎndé géwài cāngcuì.

After the rain, the distant mountains appear exceptionally verdant.

她戴着一只翡手镯,晶莹剔透。

Tā dàizhe yī zhǐ fěicuì shǒuzhuó, jīngyíng tītòu.

She is wearing a jade bracelet, which is crystal clear and translucent.

阳光透过绿的竹林,洒下斑驳的光影。

Yángguāng tòu guò cuìlǜ de zhúlín, sǎ xià bānbó de guāngyǐng.

Sunlight filters through the emerald green bamboo forest, casting dappled light and shadows.

设计师用色的丝绸为礼服增添了生机。

Shèjì shī yòng cuìsè de sīchóu wéi lǐfú zēngtiānle shēngjī.

The designer used jade-green silk to add vitality to the evening gown.

市场里陈列着各种雕工精美的饰品。

Fěicuì shìchǎng lǐ chénliè zhe gè zhǒng diāogōng jīngměi de shìpǐn.

Various exquisitely carved ornaments are displayed in the jade market.

他笔下那片色欲滴的荷塘,充满了盛夏的活力。

Tā bǐ xià nà piàn cuìsè yù dī de hétáng, chōngmǎnle shèngxià de huólì.

The lotus pond he painted, with its dripping-wet emerald green, is full of midsummer vitality.