梓 (zǐ) - Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous tree & metaphorically used to refer to one's hometown or

梓Tone 3

zǐ ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

志

梓 · zǐ

Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous tree native to China;

metaphorically used to refer to one's hometown or native place;

in modern usage, commonly used in personal names.

Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous treemetaphorically used to refer to one's hometown orin modern usage, commonly used in personal names.

Usage highlights

Catalpa treeHometownSend to pressCatalpa woodCatalpa officialCatalpa coffin

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The catalpa wood is used for furniture (梓木).
  • He returned to his hometown (桑梓).
  • This book is ready for printing (付梓).
  • Many parents use this character in names (梓轩).

Collocations

  • Catalpa tree(梓树)
  • Hometown(桑梓)
  • Send to press(付梓)
  • Catalpa wood(梓木)
  • Catalpa official(梓人)
  • Catalpa coffin(梓宫)

Idioms

  • Mulberry and catalpa — one's native place(桑梓之地)
  • Respect for one's elders and hometown(敬恭桑梓)
  • Catalpa and lacquer trees(梓漆)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient times, catalpa trees were often planted around homes, making 'mulberry and catalpa' (桑梓) a poetic reference to one's hometown.
  • The wood was traditionally used for printing blocks, hence '付梓' means to send something for printing.
  • In recent decades, it has become extremely popular in Chinese given names, especially for girls.

FAQ