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桕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
桕jiùtallow treeg, 10 strokes, radical 木
桕jiùSapium sebiferumunknown, 10 strokes, radical 木
jiù(jiu4) T4
  1. 1tallow tree
  2. 2Sapium sebiferum
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March 24, 2026

桕jiù(jiu4)

The character 桕 (jiù) refers to the tallow tree, which is known scientifically as Sapium sebiferum. This tree is valued for its oil-rich seeds and is often found in southern China, where it is used in traditional practices and industry.

Strokes10Radical木
Cultural Note

The tallow tree is significant in Chinese culture as it has been used for centuries to produce tallow for candles and soap, reflecting the resourcefulness of traditional Chinese practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall tree (the radical 木 represents 'tree') that produces tallow, which is a type of fat used in making candles. The sound 'jiù' can remind you of 'juice,' as tallow can be seen as a juicy substance extracted from the seeds.

Meanings of 桕

jiù(jiu4)
1tallow tree
2Sapium sebiferum
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 桕

桕Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 桕

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Podcast: 桕

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AI Study Notes for 桕

Usage Notes

This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation and is primarily found in botanical contexts or discussions about agriculture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that refer to other types of trees or plants.

HSK Study Tips

Although 桕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of botanical terms in Chinese. Focus on memorizing related terms and their contexts to build a stronger vocabulary around nature and plants.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 桕 (jiù) with similar characters like 桐 (tóng), which refers to the tung tree. Remember that 桕 specifically refers to the tallow tree, so practice distinguishing between these characters.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 桕

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Etymology of 桕

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

tree

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 桕

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half臼 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 桕? 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 桕?

Decomposition of 桕

IDS Structure⿰木臼
桕Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
臼jiu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 桕?

How to say tallow tree in Chinese

“tallow tree” in Chinese is桕jiù

The character 桕 (jiù) refers to the tallow tree, which is known scientifically as Sapium sebiferum. This tree is valued for its oil-rich seeds and is often found in southern China, where it is used in traditional practices and industry.

When to use 桕

This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation and is primarily found in botanical contexts or discussions about agriculture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that refer to other types of trees or plants.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 桕 (jiù) with similar characters like 桐 (tóng), which refers to the tung tree. Remember that 桕 specifically refers to the tallow tree, so practice distinguishing between these characters.

Write 桕

桕

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

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Word Family of 桕

Words Containing This Character2
乌桕Tallow tree烏桕
桕jiùTallow tree
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 乌桕 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 桕

The tallow tree has been historically important for its seeds, which produce oil used in traditional candle-making and soap.

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