Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
菥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
菥xīpennycressx, 11 strokes, radical 艹
xī(xi1)xi T1
  1. 1pennycress
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

菥xī(xi1)

The character 菥 (xī) refers to a type of plant known as pennycress, which is a small flowering plant found in various regions. This term is often used in botanical contexts, particularly in discussions about herbs and plants. It may not be widely recognized outside of specialized fields such as botany or traditional medicine.

Strokes11Radical艹
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese medicine, various plants, including pennycress (菥), are valued for their medicinal properties. Understanding this character may lead to discussions about herbal remedies and their applications in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a penny (反映 pennies) resting on a lush green field of plants. The character 菥 (xī) resembles a plant with leaves, and the 'x' sound can remind you of the freshness of the herb. Picture the pennycress thriving in a sunny field to help remember its meaning.

Meanings of 菥

xī(xi1)
1pennycress
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 菥 means.

About 菥

菥Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 菥

JasonAmy

Podcast: 菥

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 菥

Usage Notes

It is important to note that 菥 is a relatively uncommon word, primarily used in specific contexts related to botany. Learners may confuse it with more commonly used words that include the character 菜 (cài), meaning vegetable. Be cautious with pronunciation, especially with the initial 'x' tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 菥 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other HSK words related to plants and nature. Students should focus on understanding the radicals and components related to plants to grasp similar terms. Consider exploring related terms in the HSK vocabulary list.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 菥 with 菜 (cài), thinking they have similar meanings. Remember that 菥 specifically refers to a type of plant, while 菜 generally means vegetable. Another common mistake is mispronouncing the initial 'x' sound, which should be pronounced with a high tone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 菥

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

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

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 菥 to you

Let me explain 菥 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 菥 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 菥?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 菥 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 菥

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

plant

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

Origin

菥 = 艹 + 析. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 菥

IDS Structure⿱艹析
菥Full character
=
艹cao3
top
析xi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 菥?

How to say pennycress in Chinese

“pennycress” in Chinese is菥xī

The character 菥 (xī) refers to a type of plant known as pennycress, which is a small flowering plant found in various regions. This term is often used in botanical contexts, particularly in discussions about herbs and plants. It may not be widely recognized outside of specialized fields such as botany or traditional medicine.

When to use 菥

It is important to note that 菥 is a relatively uncommon word, primarily used in specific contexts related to botany. Learners may confuse it with more commonly used words that include the character 菜 (cài), meaning vegetable. Be cautious with pronunciation, especially with the initial 'x' tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 菥 with 菜 (cài), thinking they have similar meanings. Remember that 菥 specifically refers to a type of plant, while 菜 generally means vegetable. Another common mistake is mispronouncing the initial 'x' sound, which should be pronounced with a high tone.

Write 菥

菥

Practice writing 菥 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 菥?

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 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 菥

Words containing this character1
菥xīpennycress

Frequently asked questions about 菥

No, 菥 is primarily used in botanical contexts and is not commonly used in daily conversation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 菥?

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