(yīng) — (bound form) cherry (blossom or fruit)

Definition

樱 (yīng) is a bound form meaning 'cherry'. It is not used alone — always combine with 花 (樱花, cherry blossom) or 桃 (樱桃, cherry fruit).

bound form
cherry (blossom or fruit)

Examples

  • Rì běn de yīng huā fēi cháng yǒu míng.
    Japan's cherry blossoms are very famous.
  • Wǒ mǎi le yì hé yīng tao.
    I bought a box of cherries.
  • Chūn tiān shì kàn yīng huā de hǎo jì jié.
    Spring is a good season to see cherry blossoms.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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 櫻; 樱 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
yīngyīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 櫻 shows 木 (tree) for its meaning and 嬰 for its sound.

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