Learn a Chinese Character - 菊

Chinese Character:

1. Character Basics

Radical: 艹/cǎo (表示草)

Stroke Count: 11

Stroke Order:

Stroke Order Animation

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jú (second tone)

3. Meaning

chrysanthemum, daisy, aster

4. Common Words

5. Grammar & Usage

As a noun: 花园里有很多菊花 (huā yuán lǐ yǒu hěn duō jú huā) - There are many chrysanthemums in the garden

In compound words: 菊花茶很清凉 (jú huā chá hěn qīng liáng) - Chrysanthemum tea is very refreshing

In phrases: 赏菊大会 (shǎng jú dà huì) - chrysanthemum appreciation event

Common structure: 菊 + 花/茶/酒

Note: Often used in contexts related to flowers, tea, and traditional culture

6. Cultural Background

The chrysanthemum is one of the "Four Gentlemen" in Chinese art

It symbolizes nobility, elegance, and resilience in Chinese culture

Chrysanthemum festivals are held in autumn across China

Drinking chrysanthemum wine on Double Ninth Festival is a traditional custom

The poet Tao Yuanming famously praised the chrysanthemum in his works

7. Example Sentence

Chinese: 秋天是赏菊的好时节。

Pinyin: Qiū tiān shì shǎng jú de hǎo shí jié.

Translation: Autumn is a good season to appreciate chrysanthemums.

8. Memory Tips

The character 菊 consists of 艹 (cǎo - grass) and 匊 (jū - to hold in hands)

Think of "holding (匊) a flower (艹)"

The character has 11 strokes

Remember that it's a type of flower, often associated with autumn

The radical 艹 indicates that it's a plant

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