黍 (shǔ) — (bound form) proso millet, broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum)

Definition

黍 is an old/literary term for broomcorn millet (proso millet). It almost never stands alone — it combines with 米, 子, or 稷 to name the grain or its seeds.

bound form
proso milletbroomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 黍。
    Gǔ dài hěn duō rén zhǒng shǔ mǐ zuò wéi liáng shi.
    Many ancient people grew millet as a staple food.
  • 黍。
    Zhè zhǒng shǔ zi hěn shì hé zài zhōng guó běi fāng zhòng zhí.
    This type of proso millet is very suitable for growing in northern China.
  • 黍。
    Kǎo gǔ xué jiā zài yí zhǐ zhōng fā xiàn le shǔ de zhǒng zi.
    Archaeologists found seeds of millet at the site.

Origin

Pictograph
六书liùshū
象形xiàngxíng

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

黍 shows a cereal plant with a lower part that may be liquid or kernels, though the exact reason for that part is uncertain.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.