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The character 芋 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 艹 (cǎo, grass) classifies it within the plant family, while its phonetic component 于 (yú) indicates the pronunciation. The character refers specifically to the taro plant (Colocasia esculenta) and its edible corm. In compounds like 洋芋 (potato), it functions more broadly to classify other starchy root vegetables.
Etymology Hide
