Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
茈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
茈zǐa plant yielding a red dyezg, 9 strokes, radical 艹
茈zǐCommon Gromwell or European stoneseed (Lithospermum officinale)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹
茈cía plant yielding a red dyezg, 9 strokes, radical 艹
茈cíCommon Gromwell or European stoneseed (Lithospermum officinale)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹
cí(ci2)ci
primary
T2
  1. 1a plant yielding a red dye
  2. 2Common Gromwell or European stoneseed (Lithospermum officinale)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

茈cí(ci2)

The character 茈 (cí) refers to a plant known for its use in producing a red dye, specifically the Common Gromwell or European stoneseed. This plant is notable for its medicinal properties and its historical significance in dyeing textiles, particularly in traditional Chinese practices.

Strokes9Radical艹
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, natural dyes derived from plants like 茈 have been used historically in traditional textile production, emphasizing the deep connection between nature and art in Chinese craftsmanship.

Memory Tip

Imagine a vibrant red dye spilling from a pot, with a gromwell plant sprouting nearby. The character 茈 resembles a plant (the radical '艹' on top) with roots that delve deep into the soil, connecting the idea of nature and color to its pronunciation 'cí'.

Meanings of 茈

cí(ci2)
primary
1a plant yielding a red dye
2Common Gromwell or European stoneseed (Lithospermum officinale)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 茈 means.

About 茈

茈Simplified
9Strokes
艹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 茈

JasonAmy

Podcast: 茈

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 茈

Usage Notes

Due to its specialized meaning, 茈 is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more common in botanical or historical texts. Learners should ensure to use it in appropriate contexts, predominantly related to plants or dyeing. The tone is crucial; remember to pronounce it with a rising tone (second tone) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As 茈 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it may not appear in standard language learning resources. However, understanding this character can enhance your knowledge of botanical terminology, which connects with other HSK level 5-6 words related to plants and nature. Focus on the radicals when learning characters at this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 茈 with other similar characters due to its specific usage; for example, using it in a casual context where a more common word for 'plant' should be used. Always remember its connection to dyeing plants when using it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 茈

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 茈 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 茈 to You

Let me explain 茈 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 茈 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 茈?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 茈 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 茈

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

plant

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)此
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

茈 = 艹 + 此. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 茈

IDS Structure⿱艹此
茈Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
此ci3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 茈?

How to say a plant yielding a red dye in Chinese

“a plant yielding a red dye” in Chinese is茈zǐ

The character 茈 (cí) refers to a plant known for its use in producing a red dye, specifically the Common Gromwell or European stoneseed. This plant is notable for its medicinal properties and its historical significance in dyeing textiles, particularly in traditional Chinese practices.

When to use 茈

Due to its specialized meaning, 茈 is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more common in botanical or historical texts. Learners should ensure to use it in appropriate contexts, predominantly related to plants or dyeing. The tone is crucial; remember to pronounce it with a rising tone (second tone) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 茈 with other similar characters due to its specific usage; for example, using it in a casual context where a more common word for 'plant' should be used. Always remember its connection to dyeing plants when using it.

Write 茈

茈

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 茈?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 茈

Words Containing This Character1
茈cíCommon Gromwell or European stoneseed (Lithospermum officinale)

Frequently Asked Questions about 茈

茈 refers to a plant that produces a red dye, known as the Common Gromwell.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 茈?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab