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March 24, 2026
植物zhíwù(zhi2wu4)
植物 (zhíwù) refers to living organisms that belong to the kingdom Plantae, including trees, flowers, and shrubs. In everyday contexts, it is commonly used to discuss nature, gardening, or biology. The term emphasizes the botanical aspect of these organisms.
Frequency#4479DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, plants are often associated with harmony and prosperity. For example, the practice of keeping certain plants, like bamboo or lucky bamboo, is believed to bring good fortune and positive energy into homes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'plant' (植物) growing tall and strong, with a sturdy trunk and vibrant leaves. The first character, 植 (zhí), looks like the plant's roots digging into the ground, while the second character, 物 (wù), can remind you of the 'thing' that is a plant. Visualize a 'zhí' (植) plant sprouting from 'wù' (物) ground.
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AI Study Notes for 植物
Quick Contrast
花 (huā) - use 植物 when referring to plants in general, while 花 specifically denotes flowers.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'plant' (植物) growing tall and strong, with a sturdy trunk and vibrant leaves. The first character, 植 (zhí), looks like the plant's roots digging into the ground, while the second character, 物 (wù), can remind you of the 'thing' that is a plant. Visualize a 'zhí' (植) plant sprouting from 'wù' (物) ground.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 植物; both characters are in the second and fourth tones, respectively. It is often used in both scientific and casual discussions, so it fits both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 植物学 (botany) and 植物园 (botanical garden).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 植物 can help you expand your vocabulary related to nature and science. Focus on using it in sentences about the environment or in discussions about gardening and plant care, as these themes are common at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, plants are often associated with harmony and prosperity. For example, the practice of keeping certain plants, like bamboo or lucky bamboo, is believed to bring good fortune and positive energy into homes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 植物 with similar-sounding words like 生活 (shēnghuó) which means 'life' or 'living.' For example, saying '我喜欢生活' (I like plants) instead of '我喜欢植物' is incorrect. Always use 植物 when discussing plants specifically.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 植物
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Grammar Patterns of 植物
植物 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). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她种了很多我不熟悉的奇妙____。
She grew many wonderful plants that were unfamiliar to me.
Example Sentences for 植物 (10)
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1
她种了很多我不熟悉的奇妙植物。
tā zhǒng le hěn duō wǒ bù shú xī de qí miào zhí wù。
She grew many wonderful plants that were unfamiliar to me.
2
这种植物被用作治疗神经痛时的镇静药。
zhè zhǒng zhí wù bèi yòng zuò zhì liáo shén jīng tòng shí de zhèn jìng yào。
The plant acts as a sedative in treating neuralgia.
3
这本书包括了有关动植物的一些有用的知识。
zhè běn shū bāo kuò le yǒu guān dòng zhí wù de yī xiē yǒu yòng de zhī shí。
The book includes some useful facts about animal and plant life.
4
他们验明6种植物有可能提炼出药物麻醉剂。
tā mén yàn míng6 6 zhǒng zhí wù yǒu kě néng tí liàn chū yào wù má zuì。
They identified six plants as having potential for development into pharmaceutical drugs.
5
这种植物适应了这个环境，在草中生长得很好。
zhè zhǒng zhí wù shì yīng le zhè gè huán jìng， ， zài cǎo zhōng shēng cháng dé hěn。
The plant naturalises well in grass.
6
你得自己把那株植物挖出来。
nǐ dé zì jǐ bǎ nà zhū zhí wù wā chū lái。
You would have to dig up the plant yourself.
7
木虱会侵害活体植物并啃咬它们的茎。
mù shī huì qīn hài huó tǐ zhí wù bìng kěn yǎo tā mén de jīng。
Woodlice attack living plants and gnaw at the stems.
When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.
9
某些种类的动植物不能适应迅速变化的环境。
mǒu xiē zhǒng lèi de dòng zhí wù bù néng shì yīng xùn sù biàn huà de huán jìng。
Some animal and plant species cannot accommodate to the rapidly changing cond-itions.
10
把没种庄稼和植物的土地都深翻一遍。
bǎ méi zhǒng zhuāng jià hé zhí wù de tǔ dì dū shēn fān yī biàn。
Dig over any ground that is clear of crops and plants.
Cultural Notes for 植物
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, plants are often associated with harmony and prosperity. For example, the practice of keeping certain plants, like bamboo or lucky bamboo, is believed to bring good fortune and positive energy into homes.
Frequently Asked Questions about 植物
植物 refers to all types of plants, while 盆栽 specifically means potted plants.
Yes, 植物 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, such as academic discussions or casual conversations about nature.
Common phrases include 植物园 (botanical garden) and 植物学 (botany).
