椹 (shèn) - Mulberry tree & anvil

椹Tone 4

shèn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

椹 · shèn

Mulberry tree;

anvil;

also used historically to refer to a type of fruit or tree.

Mulberry treeanvilalso used historically to refer to a type

Usage highlights

Mulberry treeIron anvilWooden anvilMulberry fruitMulberry branchMulberry leaf

Synonyms

  • 桑— mulberry tree
  • 砧— anvil, chopping block

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mulberry tree (桑椹) produces edible berries.
  • The blacksmith hammered on the anvil (铁椹).
  • Mulberries are used in traditional medicine (椹子).
  • The carpenter used a wooden block as an anvil (木椹).

Collocations

  • Mulberry tree(桑椹)
  • Iron anvil(铁椹)
  • Wooden anvil(木椹)
  • Mulberry fruit(椹子)
  • Mulberry branch(椹枝)
  • Mulberry leaf(椹叶)

Idioms

  • Mulberries and thistles(椹棘)
  • Mulberry and catalpa(椹梓)
  • Mulberry fields become the blue sea(桑田碧海)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with sericulture (silk production) as mulberry leaves are the primary food for silkworms.
  • The character appears in classical texts referring to both the mulberry tree and anvil, showing dual usage.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, mulberry fruits are considered beneficial for health.

FAQ