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丁香 (dīng xiāng) — clove (spice); lilac (flower)

Definition

One word for two different plants: a small reddish-brown spice used in cooking (clove) and a purple spring-flowering shrub (lilac). The character 花 (huā) is often added when referring to the flower.

noun
clove (spice)lilac (flower)
Measure word · 朵

Examples

  • 丁香。
    Wǒ zuò fàn shí xǐ huan fàng yì xiē dīng xiāng.
    I like to add some cloves when cooking.
  • ，。
    Chūn tiān dào le, dīng xiāng huā kāi le.
    Spring has arrived, and the lilacs are blooming.
  • 丁香。
    dīng xiāng Kě yǐ yòng lái pào chá.
    Cloves can be used to make tea.

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.

丁dīngnail
香xiāngfragrant

“丁” suggests the nail-like buds and “香” gives the fragrance, naming the clove or lilac.

Characters in this word

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

丁 may picture a nail head, a person's head, a square city wall, or a square star pattern.

Open 丁 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

香's early form paired 黍 (glutinous millet) with 口 (mouth), perhaps showing millet drink being taken in or offered.

Open 香 →
Appears in
Flavors & SeasoningsPlants & Flowers

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