Definitions

téng (noun) rattan; vine; cane

Etymology phono-semantic

plant

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "藤" is etymologically constructed from the grass radical, denoting its botanical category, combined with the component "滕" which functions phonetically while also conveying an associative sense of upward growth or climbing, consistent with the nature of vines. Its early usage specifically indicated wisteria, but over time the term's application extended to encompass a wider range of climbing plants and, by metaphorical extension, to objects fashioned from their flexible stems, such as rattanware. This semantic broadening occurred alongside a stability in the character's graphical form, which has preserved its traditional structure without substantive alteration.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

蔓爬得很高。

Téng wàn pá de hěn gāo.

The vine climbs very high.

花园里有许多

Huāyuán lǐ yǒu xǔduō téng.

There are many vines in the garden.

椅坐起来很舒服。

Zhè téng yǐ zuò qǐlái hěn shūfu.

This rattan chair is very comfortable to sit on.

葡萄上结满了果实。

Pútáo téng shàng jiē mǎn le guǒshí.

The grapevine is full of fruits.

他用条编了一个篮子。

Tā yòng téng tiáo biān le yí gè lánzi.

He wove a basket with rattan strips.

花开的时候非常美丽。

Zǐténg huā kāi de shíhòu fēicháng měilì.

When the wisteria flowers bloom, it is very beautiful.

这些蔓植物需要充足的阳光。

Zhèxiē téngwàn zhíwù xūyào chōngzú de yángguāng.

These vine plants need plenty of sunlight.

为了避免蔓过度生长,定期修剪是必要的。

Wèile bìmiǎn téngwàn guòdù shēngzhǎng, dìngqī xiūjiǎn shì bìyào de.

To prevent the vines from overgrowing, regular pruning is necessary.