Definitions

ài (noun) mugwort; wormwood
ài (verb) to stop; to cut short
(verb) to mow; to cut; to reap

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "艾" originates from its designation for the mugwort plant, a connection clearly indicated by its structural composition of the grass radical (艹) positioned above the component "乂", which historically may have served a phonetic role. This botanical meaning gradually expanded to encompass verbal senses such as "to cease" or "to end", as seen in enduring idiomatic expressions. In contemporary language, it continues to refer to the plant while also functioning as a phonetic borrowing in modern terminology like "艾滋病" for AIDS.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一些草。

Zhè shì yīxiē ài cǎo.

This is some mugwort.

米喜欢唱歌。

Ài mǐ xǐhuān chànggē.

Amy likes singing.

叶可以治病。

Ài yè kěyǐ zhìbìng.

Mugwort leaves can treat illnesses.

端午节人们挂草。

Duānwǔjié rénmen guà ài cǎo.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, people hang mugwort.

灸是一种疗法。

Ài jiǔ shì yī zhǒng liáofǎ.

Moxibustion is a type of therapy.

草的香气很特别。

Ài cǎo de xiāngqì hěn tèbié.

The fragrance of mugwort is very special.

我用草做了个香包。

Wǒ yòng ài cǎo zuò le gè xiāng bāo.

I made a sachet with mugwort.

草在中医里用途广泛。

Ài cǎo zài zhōngyī lǐ yòngtú guǎngfàn.

Mugwort has wide applications in traditional Chinese medicine.