About
The character "芥" is structured as a phonosemantic compound, combining the grass radical "艹" to signify its botanical category with the component "介" primarily providing phonetic guidance. Etymologically, it originally denoted mustard plants, encompassing references to their seeds and foliage. Over time, while maintaining this primary meaning, the character acquired a metaphorical sense describing something minute or trivial, derived from the small size of mustard seeds, which is evident in compounds such as "芥子" for mustard seed and "草芥" for denoting insignificance.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
芥菜是一种蔬菜。
他吃寿司喜欢加很多芥末。
他们之间曾有过芥蒂。
细微如芥子也能入画。
他的态度十分倨傲，视人如草芥。
这种芥子气是危险的化学武器。
生命在战火前有时轻如鸿毛，贱如草芥。
他心胸宽广，从不将那些微如芥豆的冒犯放在心上。