柳树 (liǔ shù) — willow tree; willow | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A specific type of tree — the willow. 树木 is the general word for 'tree'; 柳树 names this one species, recognizable by its drooping branches.

noun

willow treewillow

Measure word · 棵

Examples

，柳树。
Chūn tiān, liǔ shù fā yá le.
In spring, the willow tree sprouts.
柳树。
Hú biān zhǒng le yì pái liǔ shù.
A row of willow trees was planted by the lake.
柳树。
liǔ shù De zhī tiáo kě yǐ yòng lái biān lán zi.
Willow branches can be used to weave baskets.

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.

柳 'willow' and 树 'tree' combine to name a willow tree.

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.

木卯柳

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

卯

卯mǎo柳liǔ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The willow character 柳 pairs 木, tree, with 卯, which gives its 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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