植根 (zhí gēn) — to take root; to establish a base (often figura… | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal written verb meaning 'to take root' or 'to be deeply established' — typically used figuratively for ideas, cultures, or customs that embed themselves firmly in a place or system.

verb

to take rootto establish a base (often figuratively)

Examples

植根。
Zhè zhǒng wén huà yǐ jīng shēn shēn zhí gēn zài zhè piàn tǔ dì shàng.
This culture has already taken deep root in this land.
。
Tā de sī xiǎng zài zhè piàn tǔ dì shàng zhí le gēn.
His thoughts took root in this land.
植根。
Xǔ duō chuán tǒng xí sú zài zhōng guó nóng cūn zhí gēn hěn shēn.
Many traditional customs are deeply rooted in China's rural areas.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

“植” means to plant and “根” means root, so the word pictures planting roots, i.e. taking root or establishing a base.

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.

木直植

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

直

直zhí植zhí

Same sound today

植 is made from 木, a tree, and 直, which gives the sound.

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

木艮根

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn根gēn(r)

Same sound today

根 pairs 木 (tree/wood), pointing to plant roots, with 艮 as a sound part.

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