Learn a Chinese Character - 榴

1. Character Basics

Radical: 木 (mù, wood radical)

Stroke Count: 14

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: liú (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Pomegranate; durian; a type of fruit tree; a type of weapon (in compound words)

4. Common Words

• 石榴 (shíliu) - Pomegranate
• 榴莲 (liúlián) - Durian
• 榴弹 (liúdàn) - Grenade
• 榴花 (liúhuā) - Pomegranate flower
• 手榴弹 (shǒuliúdàn) - Hand grenade
• 石榴裙 (shíliuqún) - Pomegranate-red skirt; a metaphor for female charm
• 榴梿 (liúlián) - Durian (alternative form)
• 榴裢 (liúlián) - Durian (alternative form)

5. Grammar & Usage

As a noun: Mainly refers to "pomegranate" or "durian". It is often used in combination with other characters to form specific terms for fruits or weapons. For example, when combined with 石 (shí, stone), it forms 石榴 (pomegranate), and when combined with 手 (shǒu, hand), it forms 手榴弹 (hand grenade).

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the pomegranate (石榴) symbolizes fertility and many children because it contains numerous seeds. It is often used in traditional decorations and art, especially during weddings and festivals, to wish for a prosperous family. The durian (榴莲), although not native to China, has become popular in Chinese cuisine in recent decades. Additionally, the character 榴 appears in terms related to weapons like 榴弹 (grenade), showing its versatility in modern Chinese vocabulary.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 榴 has 14 strokes. It consists of 木 (mù, wood/tree) and 留 (liú, to stay/keep). You can remember it by visualizing a fruit tree (木) that keeps (留) many seeds inside, which relates to fruits like pomegranate or durian.