1. Character Basics
2. Pronunciation
3. Meaning
- Sunflower (向日葵, xiàng rì kuí)
- Malva verticillata (葵菜, kuí cài), a type of edible mallow
- General term for certain leafy vegetables in ancient China
- Symbol of loyalty and admiration (in reference to sunflowers turning toward the sun)
4. Common Words
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "葵" is primarily used as a noun to refer to specific plants, particularly the sunflower and certain leafy vegetables. It is most commonly found in compound words rather than being used alone.
向日葵是一种美丽的花。(Xiàng rì kuí shì yī zhǒng měilì de huā.) - Sunflowers are beautiful flowers.
秋葵是一种营养丰富的蔬菜。(Qiū kuí shì yī zhǒng yíngyǎng fēngfù de shūcài.) - Okra is a nutrient-rich vegetable.
葵花籽油很健康。(Kuí huā zǐ yóu hěn jiànkāng.) - Sunflower seed oil is very healthy.
夏天用葵扇很凉爽。(Xiàtiān yòng kuí shàn hěn liángshuǎng.) - Using a sunflower leaf fan is very cooling in summer.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character "葵" has a rich history and cultural significance. Originally referring to malva verticillata, an edible leafy vegetable that was important in ancient Chinese cuisine, it later came to include the sunflower after its introduction to China.
The sunflower (向日葵, xiàng rì kuí) holds special symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. The name itself translates to "facing the sun flower," and it is often seen as a symbol of loyalty, constancy, and admiration because of its characteristic of turning to face the sun.
In traditional Chinese art and literature, the sunflower has been used as a metaphor for loyalty to one's country or ruler. More recently, it has also come to symbolize hope, positivity, and the pursuit of light and warmth.
Sunflower seeds (葵籽, kuí zǐ) are a popular snack in China, often eaten during social gatherings or while watching television. They are also used to produce cooking oil (葵花籽油, kuí huā zǐ yóu), which is widely used in Chinese cuisine.
7. Example Sentence
向日葵总是朝着太阳生长，象征着忠诚和积极向上的精神。
Sunflowers always grow toward the sun, symbolizing loyalty and a positive, upward spirit.
8. Memory Tips
To remember the character "葵", notice its structure: it consists of the grass/plant radical (艹) on top and the character "癸" (guǐ) below. You can associate the grass radical with its meaning of plants, particularly sunflowers.
A helpful mnemonic is to think of "葵" as "the plant that follows (癸, which sounds like guǐ) the sun." This connects both the appearance of the character and its most common meaning as sunflower.
You can also visualize a sunflower when you see the character "葵" to help remember its meaning. The sunflower's bright yellow petals and its characteristic of turning toward the sun make it a vivid image to associate with this character.