Chinese Character: 柳
1. Character Basics
Radical: 木 (mù, wood radical)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: liǔ (Third tone)
3. Meaning
Willow tree; willow branch
4. Common Words
- 柳树 (liǔshù) - willow tree
- 柳枝 (liǔzhī) - willow branch
- 柳叶 (liǔyè) - willow leaf
- 柳林 (liǔlín) - willow forest
- 杨柳 (yángliǔ) - poplar and willow trees
- 柳暗花明 (liǔànhuāmíng) - willows dark, flowers bright (idiom meaning a sudden change for the better)
- 花红柳绿 (huāhóngliǔlǜ) - red flowers and green willows (idiom describing a beautiful spring scene)
- 寻花问柳 (xúnhuāwènliǔ) - to seek flowers and ask about willows (idiom meaning to frequent brothels)
5. Grammar & Usage
"柳" is primarily used as a noun to refer to willow trees or their branches. It is often part of compound words related to willows and natural scenery.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the willow tree (柳) holds special significance. It is often associated with parting and longing, as the Chinese phrase "折柳送别" (zhéliǔsòngbié) means "to break a willow branch when seeing someone off." This custom originated from the similarity in pronunciation between "柳" (liǔ) and "留" (liú, meaning "to stay"), expressing the wish for loved ones to stay longer.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 柳树的枝条在风中轻轻摇摆。
Pinyin: Liǔshù de zhītiáo zài fēng zhōng qīngqīng yáobǎi.
English: The willow branches are gently swaying in the wind.
8. Memory Tips
The character 柳 consists of 木 (mù, wood) on the left and 卯 (mǎo) on the right. 木 indicates that it's related to a tree, while 卯 is a phonetic component contributing to the pronunciation. Imagine a willow tree with its long, flexible branches swaying in the breeze.