About
The character 苗, whose structure has remained consistent as a phono-semantic compound with 艹 (grass/plants) over 田 (field), originally depicted young plants emerging from a field, specifically denoting rice seedlings or new growth. This core agricultural meaning naturally extended to encompass all young plants or sprouts, and from this botanical sense, it acquired more abstract human applications, coming to refer to a young generation or descendants, as seen in terms like 苗裔. Furthermore, its association with things that sprout or begin allowed it to denote early signs or symptoms of a situation. The character also functions commonly as a Chinese surname, a usage directly inherited from its primary meaning.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
田里的禾苗绿油油。
小树苗需要多浇水。
她姓苗，叫苗小艺。
这些菜苗长得非常壮。
疫苗能保护我们的健康。
新品种的麦苗抗旱能力强。
她的身材保持得很苗条。
这位青年是位根正苗红的好党员。