Definitions

jīng stalk; stem; CL:條|条[tiáo]

Etymology phono-semantic

grass

Semantic:

About

The character for plant stem originates from a phono-semantic composition, with its traditional form "莖" combining the grass radical "艹" to categorize it botanically and the component "巠" which historically supplied its phonetic value. This structure has continuously denoted the central axis of a plant, and the character's core meaning has remained steadfastly focused on that botanical support. Over time, graphical modifications produced a simplified form "茎", which preserves the grass radical but alters the phonetic element, yet the essential concept conveyed by the character has not diverged from its original reference to the primary stalk in vegetation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这棵花的很长。

Zhè kē huā de jīng hěn cháng.

The stem of this flower is very long.

百合花的是绿色的。

Bǎihé huā de jīng shì lǜsè de.

The stem of the lily is green.

他小心地剪断了花的

Tā xiǎoxīn de jiǎnduàn le huā de jīng.

He carefully cut the stem of the flower.

这种植物的可以入药。

Zhè zhǒng zhíwù de jīng kěyǐ rùyào.

The stem of this plant can be used as medicine.

的强度支撑着整个植物。

Jīng de qiángdù zhīchēng zhe zhěnggè zhíwù.

The strength of the stem supports the entire plant.

科学家研究了这种植物的部结构。

Kēxuéjiā yánjiū le zhè zhǒng zhíwù de jīng bù jiégòu.

Scientists studied the stem structure of this plant.

在显微镜下,的细胞清晰可见。

Zài xiǎnwēijìng xià, jīng de xìbāo qīngxī kějiàn.

Under the microscope, the cells of the stem are clearly visible.

由于病虫害,许多农作物的都受到了损害。

Yóuyú bìngchónghài, xǔduō nóngzuòwù de jīng dōu shòudào le sǔnhài.

Due to pests and diseases, the stems of many crops have been damaged.