Chinese word

茎

Pronunciation

Pinyinjīng

Meaning

  • nounstem

Example

这朵花的茎很粗。zhè duǒ huā de jīng hěn cū

The stem of this flower is very thick.

Illustration for 茎 (stem)

More examples

实验中常切断茎观察愈合情况。shí yàn zhōng cháng qiē duàn jīng guān chá yù hé qíng kuàng

During experiments, the stem is often cut to observe its healing.

Core concept

A plant's vertical support and transport channel, joining its roots to its leaves, flowers, or other growth.

Common phrases

  • 茎的功能jīng de gōng néng

    stem function

  • 切断茎qiē duàn jīng

    cut through the stem

Similar words

根茎gēn jīng: A sideways-growing stem underground or near the ground that stores nutrients and sprouts new shoots.
树干shù gàn: A thick, hard main stem in a woody plant that bears its branches and leaves.
梗gěng: A slender, short plant stalk that commonly supports a flower or fruit.

Definition in Chinese

由节与节间构成的轴性结构，支撑地上器官并在维管组织内传导物质，在日常语境多指草本植物或花的茎部。yóu jié yǔ jié jiān gòu chéng de zhóu xìng jié gòu zhī chēng dì shàng qì guān bìng zài wéi guǎn zǔ zhī nèi zhuàn dǎo wù zhì zài rì cháng yǔ jìng duō zhǐ cáo běn zhí wù huò huā de jīng bù

Word origin

The character 茎 (jīng, "stem") uses 艹 (cǎo, "grass") + 经 (jīng, "pass through") to combine a plant-related meaning with a component associated mainly with pronunciation.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers may picture a large woody trunk, but everyday Chinese commonly uses this noun for the visible stalk of a herb or flower.

Opposites

Word lists with this word