槐 (huái) - Sophora japonica — the Japanese pagoda tree or & a deciduous tree known for its fragrant flowers

槐Tone 2

huái ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

槐 · huái

Sophora japonica — the Japanese pagoda tree or Chinese scholar tree;

a deciduous tree known for its fragrant flowers and use in traditional medicine;

also used metaphorically in reference to official positions.

Sophora japonica — the Japanese pagoda tree ora deciduous tree known for its fragrant flowersalso used metaphorically in reference to official positions.

Usage highlights

Pagoda treeHuai flowerHuai beanHuai riceHuai cornerThree Huai

Synonyms

  • 国槐— Sophora japonica (specific name)
  • 槐树— pagoda tree

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The pagoda tree (槐树) provides shade in summer.
  • In ancient times, the Three Dukes sat beneath the huai trees (三槐).
  • Huai flowers (槐花) are used in traditional medicine.
  • The huai tree is often planted along streets (槐树道).

Collocations

  • Pagoda tree(槐树)
  • Huai flower(槐花)
  • Huai bean(槐豆)
  • Huai rice(槐米)
  • Huai corner(槐角)
  • Three Huai(三槐)

Idioms

  • Three Huai and Nine Tripods(三槐九鼎)
  • Ants dreaming under the locust tree(南柯一梦)
  • Climbing the cassia and breaking a branch from the pagoda tree(攀蟾折桂)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, the huai tree was associated with high-ranking officials, as the 'Three Dukes' were said to sit beneath three huai trees.
  • The huai tree appears in the famous Tang dynasty tale 'Governor of the Southern Branch' (南柯太守传), where a man dreams of a whole lifetime in an ant kingdom under a locust tree.
  • Huai flowers and fruits are used in traditional Chinese medicine for their cooling and hemostatic properties.

FAQ