About
The character "芝" is structured with the grass radical (艹) positioned above the component "之", forming a phono-semantic compound where the radical categorizes it within the plant kingdom and "之" primarily indicates its pronunciation. Etymologically, "芝" initially referred specifically to the lingzhi mushroom, a fungus noted in early Chinese materia medica. Over centuries, its meaning expanded to denote sesame when used in the compound "芝麻", thereby extending its semantic field from a singular medicinal fungus to include a common agricultural seed, while its graphical composition remained unchanged.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
芝麻味道很香。
我买了芝麻酱。
灵芝是一种药材。
芝麻可以榨油。
这种灵芝很珍贵。
芝麻糊是我喜欢的甜品。
在山区里能找到野生灵芝。
芝麻虽然小，但营养丰富。