Definitions

suǐ (noun) marrow; bone marrow
suǐ (noun) essence; quintessence; core substance
suǐ (noun) pith (soft interior of plant stem)

Etymology phono-semantic

bone

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "髓", denoting marrow, is a phono-semantic compound constructed from the radical "骨" indicating its association with bone, paired with a phonetic element that originally conveyed a sense of residual or fundamental matter. Its early usage specifically referred to the soft tissue within bones, but over time the term's application broadened to describe the analogous pith found in plants and, through metaphorical extension, the essential core or quintessence of abstract concepts. This semantic shift from a concrete anatomical substance to a more generalized principle of inner substance exemplifies how Chinese characters can acquire layered meanings while preserving their structural composition.

Example Sentences Hide

医生检查了他的骨

Yīshēng jiǎnchá le tā de gǔsuǐ.

The doctor examined his bone marrow.

移植可以治病。

Gǔsuǐ yízhí kěyǐ zhì bìng.

Bone marrow transplantation can treat diseases.

这本书的精很重要。

Zhè běn shū de jīngsuǐ hěn zhòngyào.

The essence of this book is very important.

连接大脑和身体。

Jǐsuǐ liánjiē dànǎo hé shēntǐ.

The spinal cord connects the brain and the body.

他们研究了骨的细胞。

Tāmen yánjiū le gǔsuǐ de xìbāo.

They studied the cells of bone marrow.

理解哲学的精很难。

Lǐjiě zhéxué de jīngsuǐ hěn nán.

Understanding the essence of philosophy is difficult.

捐赠需要匹配测试。

Gǔsuǐ juānzèng xūyào pǐpèi cèshì.

Bone marrow donation requires matching tests.

灰质炎是一种疾病。

Jǐsuǐ huīzhì yán shì yī zhǒng jíbìng.

Poliomyelitis is a kind of disease.