竹 (zhú) - bamboo & a type of woodwind instrument

竹Tone 2

zhú ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 竹

志

竹 · zhú

bamboo;

a type of woodwind instrument;

one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese art representing integrity and resilience.

bambooa type of woodwind instrumentone of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese art

Usage highlights

bamboobamboo shootbamboo forestbamboo flutebamboo slipbamboo grove

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 木— wood (different plant material)
  • 石— stone (different natural material)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Bamboo grows very quickly (竹子生长很快).
  • We ate bamboo shoots (竹笋).
  • He plays the bamboo flute (竹笛).
  • The panda eats bamboo (熊猫吃竹子).

Collocations

  • bamboo(竹子)
  • bamboo shoot(竹笋)
  • bamboo forest(竹林)
  • bamboo flute(竹笛)
  • bamboo slip(竹简)
  • bamboo grove(竹丛)

Idioms

  • Bamboo has its joints, human has his sections — everyone has their setbacks(竹有节，人有节)
  • To break a bamboo — to overcome all obstacles(势如破竹)
  • To have bamboo in one's chest — to be well-thought-out(胸有成竹)
  • The sound of bamboo and silk — music(丝竹之声)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the 'Four Gentlemen' in Chinese art (plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum) symbolizing integrity, resilience, and elegance.
  • Historically used for writing materials (bamboo slips) before paper was invented.
  • Associated with scholars and literati culture; represents moral uprightness and flexibility.

FAQ