Chinese word

草

Pronunciation

Pinyincǎo

Meaning

  • noungrass

Example

院子里长满了草。yuàn zi lǐ zháng mǎn le cǎo

The yard is covered with grass.

Illustration for 草 (grass)

More examples

公园的草地很干净。gōng yuán de cǎo dì hěn gān jìng

The lawn in the park is very clean.

Core concept

Low, narrow-leaved plants that form a living cover over the ground.

Common phrases

  • 草地cǎo dì

    lawn

  • 野草yé cǎo

    wild grass

  • 一棵草yì kē cǎo

    a blade of grass

Similar words

花huā: A plant part that blooms and is noticeable for its color or shape.
叶子yè zi: A thin, flat green part attached to a plant.
树shù: A plant that grows tall and has a trunk and branches.

Definition in Chinese

生长在地面、叶片较细的常见植物的统称，泛指覆盖地表的植被。shēng zhǎng zài dì miàn yè piàn jiào xì de cháng jiàn zhí wù de tǒng chēng fàn zhǐ fù gài dì biǎo de zhí bèi

Word origin

草 (cǎo, "grass") combines 艹 (cǎo, "plant radical") + 早 (zǎo, "early"); 艹 gives the plant sense, while 早 mainly supplies the sound.

Usage tips

  • Chinese often uses 草 (cǎo, "grass") for a whole patch or type of plant, rather than for one separate blade.

Related words

Word lists with this word