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糈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
糈xǔpay, rations; sacrificial riceg, 15 strokes, radical 米
糈xǔofficial payunknown, 15 strokes, radical 米
xǔ(xu3) T3
  1. 1pay, rations; sacrificial rice
  2. 2official pay
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March 24, 2026

糈xǔ(xu3)

The character 糈 (xǔ) refers to a type of rice used in sacrificial ceremonies, often associated with offerings made to deities or ancestors. It can also imply the concept of official pay or rations, particularly in historical contexts where rice was a staple food and a form of currency in trade. This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but carries significant cultural and historical weight.

Strokes15Radical米
Cultural Note

In ancient China, rice was not only a vital food source but also played a crucial role in religious rituals, symbolizing sustenance for both the living and the dead. The use of 糈 in offerings reflects the deep reverence for ancestors and the importance of ritual in maintaining family and societal harmony.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rice bowl (米) filled with ceremonial offerings, representing the character 糈. The ‘糸’ (silk) component hints at something delicate and ceremonial, while the ‘米’ (rice) reminds you of rations. Picture a scene where rice is offered to ancestors, helping you remember both the pronunciation xǔ and its cultural significance.

Meanings of 糈

xǔ(xu3)
1pay, rations; sacrificial rice
2official pay
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 糈

糈Simplified
15Strokes
米Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 糈

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Podcast: 糈

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AI Study Notes for 糈

Usage Notes

糈 is typically used in formal or historical contexts, particularly when discussing sacrificial practices or ancient systems of payment. Learners may confuse it with more common terms for rice, so it's important to note its specific ceremonial meaning. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstanding.

HSK Study Tips

While 糈 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with themes of food and culture found in lower-level HSK words. Students should focus on understanding its cultural significance and distinguishing it from everyday food vocabulary. This will enhance comprehension of historical texts and cultural discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 糈 with 米 (mǐ) due to their similar appearance and related meanings. For example, saying '我吃糈' (wǒ chī xǔ) instead of '我吃米' (wǒ chī mǐ) would be incorrect, as 糈 is not something typically consumed.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 糈

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Etymology of 糈

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

rice

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 糈

  1. 1The meaning half米 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half胥 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayrice
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 糈? 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 糈?

Decomposition of 糈

IDS Structure⿰米胥
糈Full Character
=
米Mi3
left
胥Xu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 糈?

How to say pay, rations; sacrificial rice in Chinese

“pay, rations; sacrificial rice” in Chinese is糈xǔ

The character 糈 (xǔ) refers to a type of rice used in sacrificial ceremonies, often associated with offerings made to deities or ancestors. It can also imply the concept of official pay or rations, particularly in historical contexts where rice was a staple food and a form of currency in trade. This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but carries significant cultural and historical weight.

When to use 糈

糈 is typically used in formal or historical contexts, particularly when discussing sacrificial practices or ancient systems of payment. Learners may confuse it with more common terms for rice, so it's important to note its specific ceremonial meaning. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstanding.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 糈 with 米 (mǐ) due to their similar appearance and related meanings. For example, saying '我吃糈' (wǒ chī xǔ) instead of '我吃米' (wǒ chī mǐ) would be incorrect, as 糈 is not something typically consumed.

Write 糈

糈

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 糈

Words Containing This Character1
糈xǔofficial pay
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 糈 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 糈

No, 糈 is primarily found in historical texts and discussions about sacrificial practices.

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