孳 (zī) - To multiply & to breed

孳Tone 1

zī ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

志

孳 · zī

To multiply;

to breed;

to propagate;

to be prolific;

to grow abundantly.

To multiplyto breedto propagate

Usage highlights

Multiply and growBreed livestockGrow and spreadBreed and multiplyAccumulate interestBreeding ground

Synonyms

  • 滋— to grow, to multiply
  • 殖— to breed, to propagate
  • 繁— to multiply, numerous
  • 生— to grow, to produce

Antonyms

  • 灭— to extinguish, to destroy
  • 绝— to cease, to extinct
  • 减— to decrease, to reduce

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bacteria multiply rapidly (细菌孳生).
  • Livestock breeding is important for agriculture (牲畜孳殖).
  • Weeds grow abundantly in fertile soil (杂草孳蔓).
  • This environment fosters corruption (腐败孳生的环境).

Collocations

  • Multiply and grow(孳生)
  • Breed livestock(孳殖)
  • Grow and spread(孳蔓)
  • Breed and multiply(孳育)
  • Accumulate interest(孳息)
  • Breeding ground(孳生地)

Idioms

  • Accumulating without end(孳孳不息)
  • Diligent and tireless(孜孜孳孳)
  • Multiply and flourish(孳衍蕃息)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted plants growing abundantly, later extended to all forms of propagation and multiplication.
  • In classical texts, often used to describe the prosperous growth of populations, livestock, or wealth.
  • The character shares the same origin as 滋 (to grow, to multiply), with 孳 emphasizing the process of propagation.

FAQ