柳 (liǔ) - Willow tree & a common surname in China

柳Tone 3

liǔ ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

柳 · liǔ

Willow tree;

a common surname in China;

slender and graceful like willow branches.

Willow treea common surname in Chinaslender and graceful like willow branches.

Usage highlights

Willow treeWillow branchesWillow leavesWeeping willowWillow catkinWillow pattern

Synonyms

  • 杨— poplar (another type of tree often mentioned with willow)
  • 垂柳— weeping willow (specific type of willow)

Antonyms

  • 松— pine tree (symbolizes rigidity and steadfastness vs. willow's flexibility)
  • 刚— hard, rigid (opposite of willow's soft, flexible nature)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The willow trees by the river are beautiful (河边的柳树).
  • Her name contains the character Liu (她的名字里有柳字).
  • Willow branches sway in the wind (柳枝在风中摇曳).
  • We visited Liuzhou city in Guangxi (我们去了广西柳州).

Collocations

  • Willow tree(柳树)
  • Willow branches(柳枝)
  • Willow leaves(柳叶)
  • Weeping willow(垂柳)
  • Willow catkin(柳絮)
  • Willow pattern(柳纹)

Idioms

  • Willows dark and flowers bright(柳暗花明)
  • Willows at the roadside attract cicadas(路柳墙花)
  • Searching for flowers and willows(寻花问柳)
  • Willow waist and lotus face(柳腰莲脸)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Willows symbolize flexibility, resilience, and grace in Chinese culture as they bend without breaking.
  • In poetry, willows often represent parting and nostalgia, as in 'Parting at the willows' (折柳送别).
  • The Liu surname ranks among the top 100 Chinese surnames, with historical figures like Liu Zongyuan of the Tang dynasty.

FAQ