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檗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
檗bòtreezg, 17 strokes, radical 木
檗bòPhellodendron amurenseunknown, 17 strokes, radical 木
bò(bo4) T4
  1. 1tree
  2. 2Phellodendron amurense
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

檗bò(bo4)

The character 檗 (bò) refers specifically to the Phellodendron amurense tree, commonly known for its medicinal properties and distinctive bark. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and may not be widely recognized outside of specialized contexts. Understanding this term is useful in discussions about herbal remedies and botany in Chinese culture.

Strokes17Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Phellodendron amurense tree is appreciated for its medicinal bark, which is often used in traditional remedies for various ailments. This connection highlights the importance of nature in Chinese medicine and wellness practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big, sturdy tree (the character's radical 木, meaning 'wood') standing tall and proud. Now, think of this tree's bark being particularly valuable for health, symbolizing the medicinal aspect of the Phellodendron amurense. You can remember the pronunciation 'bò' by picturing a doctor (who often prescribes herbal remedies) standing next to this important tree.

Meanings of 檗

bò(bo4)
1tree
2Phellodendron amurense
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 檗

檗Simplified
17Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 檗

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Podcast: 檗

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AI Study Notes for 檗

Usage Notes

The term 檗 is quite specific and may not be used frequently in everyday conversation, making it more common in academic or medical contexts. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words, especially in terms of tone. This character is typically used in more formal registers.

HSK Study Tips

Although 檗 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with higher-level vocabulary related to botany and medicine. Students should focus on the context in which this term is used, particularly in herbal medicine discussions, to better understand its relevance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 檗 with similar tree-related characters, such as 树 (shù, meaning 'tree'), which is more general. It’s important to remember that 檗 specifically refers to the Phellodendron amurense, not just any tree.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 檗

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Etymology of 檗

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)辟
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 檗

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half辟 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 檗? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 檗?

Decomposition of 檗

IDS Structure⿱辟木
檗Full Character
=
辟bi4
top
木Mu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 檗?

How to say tree in Chinese

“tree” in Chinese is檗bò

The character 檗 (bò) refers specifically to the Phellodendron amurense tree, commonly known for its medicinal properties and distinctive bark. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and may not be widely recognized outside of specialized contexts. Understanding this term is useful in discussions about herbal remedies and botany in Chinese culture.

When to use 檗

The term 檗 is quite specific and may not be used frequently in everyday conversation, making it more common in academic or medical contexts. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words, especially in terms of tone. This character is typically used in more formal registers.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 檗 with similar tree-related characters, such as 树 (shù, meaning 'tree'), which is more general. It’s important to remember that 檗 specifically refers to the Phellodendron amurense, not just any tree.

Write 檗

檗

Practice writing 檗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 檗

Words Containing This Character2
檗bòPhellodendron amurense
黄檗cork-tree bark (Chinese medicine)黃檗
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 檗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 檗

No, 檗 is more specialized and often appears in contexts related to medicine or botany.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 檗?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.