松树 (sōng shù) — pine tree | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A pine tree. 树木 refers to trees in general; 松树 is one specific evergreen kind.

noun

pine tree

Measure word · 棵

Examples

松树。
Zhè kē sōng shù hěn gāo.
This pine tree is very tall.
松树。
Shān shàng zhǒng le hěn duō sōng shù.
Many pine trees were planted on the mountain.
松树。
sōng shù De mù tou kě yǐ zuò jiā jù.
Pine wood can be used to make furniture.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

The word combines '松' (pine) with '树' (tree), so it names a tree of the pine kind.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木公松

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùwood

Sound part声符shēngfú

公

公gōng松sōng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

松 uses 木 (wood) to show it is a tree, and 公 to give the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 樹; 树 is its simplified writing.

木尌樹

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

尌

尌shù樹shù

Same sound today

Originally 尌, 'to plant a tree', was written alone; the traditional form 樹 adds 木, 'tree', to it to differentiate.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Trees & Forest

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