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March 24, 2026
莳(蒔)shí(shi2)
The character 莳 (shí) refers to the act of transplanting or growing plants, particularly in the context of agriculture or gardening. It can also specifically denote the herb dill. This word is commonly used in discussions about horticulture and farming practices in Chinese-speaking regions.
Strokes10Radical艹Frequency#22328DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the practice of planting and transplanting is significant, especially in rural areas where agriculture is a primary livelihood. The seasonal cycles of planting often align with important festivals and rituals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a farmer with a shovel (土) planting dill (莳) in neat rows. The character's left side (艹) suggests 'plants,' while the right side (士) can remind you of a skilled worker (a farmer) tending to the fields.
Meanings of 莳
shí(shi2)
primary
1to transplant, to grow; dill, Anethum graveolens
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 莳
莳Simplified
蒔Traditional
10Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 莳
Podcast: 莳
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AI Study Notes for 莳
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a farmer with a shovel (土) planting dill (莳) in neat rows. The character's left side (艹) suggests 'plants,' while the right side (士) can remind you of a skilled worker (a farmer) tending to the fields.
Usage Notes
Learners should note that 莳 is often used in more formal contexts related to agriculture. Be cautious not to confuse it with other similar-sounding words that mean 'to plant' or 'to sow.' It is common to pair this word with terms related to specific plants or farming techniques.
HSK Study Tips
Although 莳 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to common agricultural terms that learners at this level might encounter. Students should focus on building a vocabulary that includes plant-related terms and their uses.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the practice of planting and transplanting is significant, especially in rural areas where agriculture is a primary livelihood. The seasonal cycles of planting often align with important festivals and rituals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 莳 (to transplant) with other similar characters like 播 (to sow). For example, saying '我莳种子' (I transplant seeds) is incorrect; it should be '我播种子' (I sow seeds).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 莳
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Cultural Notes for 莳
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the practice of planting and transplanting is significant, especially in rural areas where agriculture is a primary livelihood. The seasonal cycles of planting often align with important festivals and rituals.
Word Family of 莳
Words Containing This Character2
莳shíto grow蒔
莳萝dill (herb, Anethum graveolens)蒔蘿
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 莳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 莳
It refers to the act of transplanting or growing plants, especially herbs like dill.
It is more commonly used in formal or agricultural contexts than in everyday conversation.
You can say, '我在花园里莳花' which means 'I am transplanting flowers in the garden.'
