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菊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
菊júchrysanthemumHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 艹, rank #13831, Hard
jú(ju2) T2
  1. 1chrysanthemum
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March 24, 2026
菊jú(ju2)

菊 (jú) refers to the chrysanthemum flower, which is often associated with autumn in Chinese culture. It symbolizes longevity, resilience, and is frequently featured in traditional Chinese art and poetry. Additionally, it is celebrated during festivals such as the Double Ninth Festival, where people admire its beauty and drink chrysanthemum tea.

Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#13831DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, chrysanthemums are one of the Four Gentlemen in traditional painting, alongside plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo, representing noble qualities. They are also a symbol of the resilience of life, thriving even in the cold autumn months.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful chrysanthemum flower blooming in a garden. The character 菊 resembles a blooming flower, with the top part (艹) representing grass or plants, and the bottom part (九) can remind you of the number nine, which is often associated with longevity.

Meanings of 菊

jú(ju2)
1chrysanthemum
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 菊

菊Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1

Podcast: 菊

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Podcast: 菊

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AI Study Notes for 菊

Quick Contrast

菊 (jú) vs 玫瑰 (méiguī) — choose 菊 for autumn symbolism and cultural significance, while 玫瑰 represents romance and love.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a beautiful chrysanthemum flower blooming in a garden. The character 菊 resembles a blooming flower, with the top part (艹) representing grass or plants, and the bottom part (九) can remind you of the number nine, which is often associated with longevity.

Usage Notes

When using 菊, it is important to remember that it is a more formal term often found in literature and botanical contexts. Common collocations include '菊花' (júhuā) for chrysanthemum flower and '菊茶' (júchá) for chrysanthemum tea. Be careful with pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 菊 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes of nature and seasons present in HSK Level 2 and 3. Students should focus on recognizing this character in texts related to nature or cultural festivals.

Cultural Note

In China, chrysanthemums are one of the Four Gentlemen in traditional painting, alongside plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo, representing noble qualities. They are also a symbol of the resilience of life, thriving even in the cold autumn months.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 菊 with similar characters due to the pronunciation. For example, saying 'jǔ' (举) instead of 'jú' (菊) can lead to misunderstandings, as 举 means 'to lift' or 'to raise'. Always remember the correct tone and context when using this character.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 菊

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Etymology of 菊

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

flower

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 菊?

Decomposition of 菊

IDS Structure⿱艹匊
菊Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
匊ju1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 菊?

Write 菊

菊

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

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Grammar Patterns of 菊

菊 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

新手养____花，该如何浇水？

For beginners growing chrysanthemums, how should you water them?

Example Sentences for 菊 (8)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她的双眸是矢车菊一般的亮蓝色。

tā de shuāng móu shì shǐ chē jú yī bān de liàng lán sè。

Her eyes were a bright, cornflower blue.
2
菊花开了, 有红的,有黄的.

jú huā kāi le, , yǒu hóng, de , yǒu.

The chrysanthemums are in bloom; some are red and some yellow.
3
每个吊唁的人都佩带着黑纱和一朵白纸菊花.

měi gè diào yàn de rén dū pèi dài zháo hēi shā hé yī duǒ bái zhǐ jú huā.

Each mourner wore a black armband and a white paper chrysanthemum.
4
如果你针线活做得好，可以在自己的毛衣上绣几朵雏菊做点缀。

rú guǒ nǐ zhēn xiàn huó zuò dé hǎo， ， kě yǐ zài zì jǐ de máo yī shàng xiù jī duǒ chú jú zuò diǎn。

If you're handy with a needle you could brighten up your sweater with daisies.
5
在两个潮湿的冬天抵抗的一朵非常茁壮的菊花.

zài liǎng gè cháo shī de dōng tiān dǐ kàng de yī duǒ fēi cháng zhuó zhuàng de jú huā.

A very sturdy chrysanthemum which resisted in two wet winters.
6
你为什么不去理发, 你简直像朵菊花了.

nǐ wéi shí mó bù qù lǐ fā, , nǐ jiǎn zhí xiàng duǒ jú huā.

Why do not you get a haircut, you look like a chrysanthemum.
7
菊花展上一片秋光.

jú huā zhǎn shàng yī piàn qiū guāng.

The chrysanthemum show is full of the beauty of autumn.
8
落叶灌木类,如丁香 、 绣线菊 、 绣球花等.

luò yè guàn mù lèi, , rú dīng、 xiāng 、 xiù、 xiàn jú 、 xiù.

Deciduous shrub style such as lilac, spirea, hydrangea, etc.

Cultural Notes for 菊

🏮Cultural insight

In China, chrysanthemums are one of the Four Gentlemen in traditional painting, alongside plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo, representing noble qualities. They are also a symbol of the resilience of life, thriving even in the cold autumn months.

Word Family of 菊

Words Containing This Character12
菊júchrysanthemum
菊花júhuāchrysanthemum
雏菊daisy雛菊
黄菊wine黃菊
菊苣chicory
菊池Kikuchi (Japanese surname and place name)
菊花茶chrysanthemum tea
菊芋Jerusalem artichoke
菊科Asteraceae or Compositae (composites), a large family of dicotyledonous plants producing scents, includes aster, daisy and sunflower
万寿菊Aztec or African marigold (Tagetes erecta)萬壽菊
菊粉(biochemistry) inulin (aka fructosan)
甘菊chamomile
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 菊 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 菊

Chrysanthemums symbolize resilience and longevity, and they are celebrated during festivals like the Double Ninth Festival.