柴 (chái) - firewood & brushwood

柴Tone 2

chái ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical: 木

偲嫦

柴 · chái

firewood;

brushwood;

faggot;

a surname;

also used metaphorically for something dry, brittle, or lean

firewoodbrushwoodfaggot

Usage highlights

firewoodbrushwoodfirewood gathererbundle of firewoodfirewood knifefirewood stove

Synonyms

  • 木— wood (more general term)
  • 薪— firewood, fuel

Antonyms

  • 湿— wet, moist (opposite of dry)
  • 肥— fat, greasy (opposite of lean)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We need to gather firewood (柴火) for cooking.
  • He carries a bundle of brushwood (一捆柴) on his back.
  • The wood is too dry and burns like kindling (像柴一样燃烧).
  • That chicken is too skinny (这只鸡太柴了).

Collocations

  • firewood(柴火)
  • brushwood(木柴)
  • firewood gatherer(樵柴)
  • bundle of firewood(一捆柴)
  • firewood knife(柴刀)
  • firewood stove(柴灶)

Idioms

  • Dry wood and bitter water(柴米油盐)
  • Broken boats and decrepit carts(破釜沉舟 - note: not containing 柴 but conceptually related to burning)
  • Dry lips and parched mouth(唇焦舌燥 - metaphorically related to dryness)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally essential for cooking and heating in rural Chinese households.
  • The surname Chái (柴) dates back to ancient times and appears in historical records.
  • Metaphorically used to describe dry, brittle texture in food or lean physique.
  • Associated with rural life and self-sufficiency in traditional Chinese culture.

FAQ