梅子 (méi zi) — plum (Prunus mume) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

plum (Prunus mume)

Measure word · 颗

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

梅 gives the plum, and 子 completes the familiar fruit name.

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.

木每梅

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

每

Same sound today

梅 is built from 木 (tree) and 每, which gives the sound; it is used for the plum tree.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Appears in