槚 (jiǎ) - Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous tree & historically used to make chessboards and coffins

槚Tone 3

jiǎ ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

槚 · jiǎ

Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous tree native to East Asia, valued for its timber;

historically used to make chessboards and coffins;

also appears in classical texts.

Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous treehistorically used to make chessboards and coffinsalso appears in classical texts.

Usage highlights

Catalpa treeCatalpa woodTea plantCatalpa coffinCatalpa chessboard

Synonyms

  • 梓— Chinese catalpa (similar tree species)
  • 楸— Another type of catalpa tree

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The catalpa wood is used for furniture (槚木家具).
  • Ancient texts mention the catalpa tree (古书中的槚).
  • This chessboard is made of catalpa wood (槚木棋盘).

Collocations

  • Catalpa tree(槚树)
  • Catalpa wood(槚木)
  • Tea plant (alternative meaning)(茶槚)
  • Catalpa coffin(槚棺)
  • Catalpa chessboard(槚棋盘)

Idioms

  • Tea and catalpa (茶槚) — referring to tea plants in classical texts

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The catalpa tree was historically associated with mourning and coffins in ancient China.
  • In classical literature, 槚 sometimes referred to tea plants before 茶 became standard.
  • Catalpa wood was valued for making musical instruments and furniture due to its fine grain.

FAQ