Chinese Character: 绿
1. Character Basics
Radical: 纟(sī, silk radical)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lǜ (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Green (color)
4. Common Words
- 绿色 (lǜsè) - green (color)
- 绿化 (lǜhuà) - greening; afforestation
- 环保 (huánbǎo) - environmental protection
- 绿叶 (lǜyè) - green leaf
- 绿豆 (lǜdòu) - mung bean; green bean
- 绿灯 (lǜdēng) - green light; go-ahead signal
- 绿洲 (lǜzhōu) - oasis
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "绿" is primarily used as an adjective to describe the color green. It can be used in several ways:
1. As an adjective before a noun:
- 绿叶 (lǜyè) - green leaf
- 绿色植物 (lǜsè zhíwù) - green plants
2. In compound words:
- Often combined with other characters to form words related to the color green or environmental concepts, such as 绿化 (lǜhuà, greening) and 环保 (huánbǎo, environmental protection).
3. In idioms and proverbs:
- 绿水青山 (lǜshuǐ-qīngshān) - green waters and green mountains (describing beautiful natural scenery)
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the color green (绿) has several important symbolic meanings. Traditionally, it represents nature, growth, and vitality. In recent years, it has also become strongly associated with environmental protection and sustainability, as seen in terms like 绿色环保 (lǜsè huánbǎo, green environmental protection). However, it's worth noting that in some contexts, green can also have negative connotations, such as in the phrase 戴绿帽子 (dài lǜmàozi), which is a slang term for being cuckolded. Overall, green remains an important color in Chinese culture, representing both natural beauty and modern environmental consciousness.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 春天来了，树上长出了嫩绿的叶子。
Pinyin: Chūntiān láile, shù shang zhǎngchūle nènlǜ de yèzi.
English: Spring has come, and tender green leaves have grown on the trees.
8. Memory Tips
The character 绿 is composed of 纟(sī, silk radical) on the left and 录(lù) on the right. You can remember this character by associating the left part "纟" with thread or material, and the right part "录" with recording or noting. Together, they can be thought of as "noting the color of green thread" or "the color green that is recorded or recognized".