Ailanthus tree; a kind of small tree, useless for timber
g, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #61979, Very Hard
樗
chū
simaroubaceae
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #61979, Very Hard
chū(chu1) T1
1Ailanthus tree; a kind of small tree, useless for timber
2simaroubaceae
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March 24, 2026
樗chū(chu1)
The character 樗 (chū) refers to the Ailanthus tree, which is often considered a small tree with little value for timber. It is commonly found in various regions and can be associated with growth in difficult environments, reflecting its resilience despite being perceived as 'useless' in terms of wood quality.
Strokes15Radical木Frequency#61979DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, trees like the 樗 symbolize resilience and adaptability, often appearing in poetry to convey deeper meanings about life and perseverance, despite their practical limitations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small tree that stands tall despite its perceived uselessness. The character 樗 looks like a tree (木) with an extra 'thing' (丷) on top, reminding you of a tree that grows where others cannot, yet is not valued for its timber.
Meanings of 樗
chū(chu1)
1Ailanthus tree; a kind of small tree, useless for timber
2simaroubaceae
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 樗
樗Simplified
15Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 樗
Podcast: 樗
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AI Study Notes for 樗
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small tree that stands tall despite its perceived uselessness. The character 樗 looks like a tree (木) with an extra 'thing' (丷) on top, reminding you of a tree that grows where others cannot, yet is not valued for its timber.
Usage Notes
樗 is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more likely to appear in literary or botanical contexts. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters, and note that it is considered somewhat formal or technical.
HSK Study Tips
While 樗 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of botanical terms. It's beneficial to connect it with other plant-related words, especially those in the HSK vocabulary, to build a thematic vocabulary set.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, trees like the 樗 symbolize resilience and adaptability, often appearing in poetry to convey deeper meanings about life and perseverance, despite their practical limitations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 樗 with other tree-related characters like 树 (shù) which means 'tree' in general. Remember that 樗 specifically refers to the Ailanthus tree, a more specialized term.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 樗
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Cultural Notes for 樗
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, trees like the 樗 symbolize resilience and adaptability, often appearing in poetry to convey deeper meanings about life and perseverance, despite their practical limitations.
Word Family of 樗
Words Containing This Character1
樗chūsimaroubaceae
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 樗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 樗
樗 translates to 'Ailanthus tree,' which is known for its resilience but is not valued for timber.
No, 樗 is more often found in literary texts or botanical discussions rather than in everyday speech.
The correct pronunciation is 'chū', with a high, level tone.
