树 (shù): tree

Measure Word

一棵树 kē

Meanings

1 tree

Characters

树

shù

tree; to plant; to establish

Wood radical 木 on the left - it's a plant.

Examples

HSK 2

公园里有很多树。

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu hěnduō shù.

There are many trees in the park.

HSK 4

这棵树很高。

Zhè kē shù hěn gāo.

This tree is very tall.

HSK 4

他在院子里种了一棵树。

Tā zài yuànzi lǐ zhòng le yì kē shù.

He planted a tree in the yard.

Tips

culture

The traditional character 樹 has 木 (wood) on the left - a tree is made of wood. The simplified 树 keeps the 木 radical.

culture

十年树木，百年树人 - 'It takes ten years to grow a tree, a hundred years to nurture a person.' A famous saying about the value of education.

Components

radical

木 mù

tree; wood

The wood / tree radical on the left places 树 in the family of plants and timber: 林 forest, 桥 bridge, 桌 desk, 椅 chair. Compressed into a slim left-side form so the bulky right side has room.

phonetic

对 duì

correct; pair

Simplified replacement for the traditional right side 尌 (a hand 寸 planting). 对 supplies an approximate sound and keeps 寸 (hand) at the bottom-right, faintly preserving the planting gesture inherited from 樹. Sound has drifted: duì vs shù.