unknown, 17 strokes, radical 禾, rank #35466, Very Hard
suì(Sui4) T4
1ear of grain; fringe, tassel; Guangzhou
2abbr. for Guangzhou 廣州|广州[Guang3 zhou1]
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March 24, 2026
穗suì(Sui4)
The character 穗 (suì) primarily refers to an ear of grain, particularly the part of cereal plants that contains the seeds. It can also denote a fringe or tassel, often associated with decorative elements in textiles or traditional costumes. In addition, it is an abbreviation for Guangzhou, a major city in southern China.
Strokes17Radical禾Frequency#35466DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, grain is a staple food, and the character 穗 symbolizes abundance and prosperity, often featured in agricultural festivals. The importance of grain is reflected in sayings and traditions that celebrate harvest time.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall stalk of grain with a fluffy tuft at the top, resembling a tassel. The character 穗 combines the radical for 'grain' (禾) with the idea of a 'fluffy top' (the shape of 穗), helping you remember both its pronunciation (suì) and meaning.
Meanings of 穗
suì(Sui4)
1ear of grain; fringe, tassel; Guangzhou
2abbr. for Guangzhou 廣州|广州[Guang3 zhou1]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 穗
穗Simplified
17Strokes
禾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 穗
Podcast: 穗
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AI Study Notes for 穗
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall stalk of grain with a fluffy tuft at the top, resembling a tassel. The character 穗 combines the radical for 'grain' (禾) with the idea of a 'fluffy top' (the shape of 穗), helping you remember both its pronunciation (suì) and meaning.
Usage Notes
When using 穗, learners often confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 睡 (shuì, sleep) or 随 (suí, follow). It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its use in agricultural discussions where precision is key. Common collocations include '穗子' (suìzi, ear of grain) and '穗状' (suìzhuàng, tassel-like).
HSK Study Tips
Though 穗 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 or above who study agriculture or regional cuisine. Focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in discussions related to farming or regional specialties from Guangdong.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, grain is a staple food, and the character 穗 symbolizes abundance and prosperity, often featured in agricultural festivals. The importance of grain is reflected in sayings and traditions that celebrate harvest time.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 穗 with other characters related to plants. For example, they might say '我喜欢穗米' (wǒ xǐhuān suì mǐ) intending to say 'I like rice', but the correct term for rice is 米 (mǐ) without using 穗.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 穗
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Grammar Patterns of 穗
穗 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
要是天气晴下去的话,小麦下星期就可以抽____.
The wheat should head out next week if the weather stays sunny.
The wheat should head out next week if the weather stays sunny.
2
我们帮助社员拾地里遗下的麦穗.
wǒ mén bāng zhù shè yuán shí dì lǐ yí xià de mài suì.
We helped the commune members to gather up the loose ears of wheat in the fields.
3
老妇花了三小时在麦地里拾落穗.
lǎo fù huā le sān xiǎo shí zài mài dì lǐ shí luò suì.
The old woman spent three hours gleaning in the wheat field.
Cultural Notes for 穗
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, grain is a staple food, and the character 穗 symbolizes abundance and prosperity, often featured in agricultural festivals. The importance of grain is reflected in sayings and traditions that celebrate harvest time.
Word Family of 穗
Words Containing This Character11
穗suìfringe
麦穗ear of wheat麥穗
稻穗rice ear
果穗bunch (of grapes)
接穗scion (branch or bud that is grafted onto rootstock)
孕穗the embryonic development of grain while still on the stem
三穗Sansui county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南州|黔东南州[Qiándōngnánzhōu], Guizhou
谷穗ear of grain穀穗
三穗县Sansui county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南州|黔东南州[Qiándōngnánzhōu], Guizhou三穗縣
吐穗to have the ears of grain come up
瑞穗Ruisui or Juisui township in Hualien County 花蓮縣|花莲县[HuāliánXiàn], east Taiwan
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 穗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 穗
The pronunciation is 'suì', with a falling tone.
It serves as an abbreviation for Guangzhou, a major city known for its rich history and as a commercial hub.
Yes, while it typically refers to grains like rice or wheat, it can also describe similar structures in other plants.
