楝 (liàn) - Chinaberry — refers to the Melia azedarach tree,

楝Tone 4

liàn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

楝 · liàn

Chinaberry — refers to the Melia azedarach tree, also known as the Persian lilac, bead-tree, or China berry tree.

Chinaberry — refers to the Melia azedarach tree,

Usage highlights

chinaberry treechinaberry woodchinaberry barkchinaberry flowerchinaberry fruitbitter chinaberry

Synonyms

  • 苦楝— bitter chinaberry (a common variety)
  • 楝树— chinaberry tree

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The chinaberry tree (楝树) produces small yellow fruits.
  • In traditional medicine, chinaberry bark (楝皮) is used.
  • The wood of the chinaberry (楝木) is used for furniture.
  • Chinaberry flowers (楝花) bloom in spring.

Collocations

  • chinaberry tree(楝树)
  • chinaberry wood(楝木)
  • chinaberry bark(楝皮)
  • chinaberry flower(楝花)
  • chinaberry fruit(楝实)
  • bitter chinaberry(苦楝)

Idioms

  • As bitter as the chinaberry(味同嚼楝)
  • Chinaberry and cassia grow together(楝桂同芳)
  • The chinaberry endures the winter cold(楝耐冬寒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The chinaberry tree is native to parts of Asia and Australia and has been introduced to other regions.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, various parts of the chinaberry tree are used for their purported medicinal properties.
  • The tree is sometimes planted as an ornamental, though its fruits are toxic to humans and some animals.
  • In some cultural contexts, the chinaberry symbolizes endurance or bitterness due to its hard wood and bitter properties.

FAQ