粟 (sù) - Millet — a type of cereal grain & grain in general

粟Tone 4

sù ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

树檀

粟 · sù

Millet — a type of cereal grain;

grain in general;

ancient grain tax;

salary;

a surname.

Millet — a type of cereal graingrain in generalancient grain tax

Usage highlights

Millet grainGrain taxGovernment salaryGrain storageMillet porridgeSurname Su

Synonyms

  • 谷— grain, cereal
  • 米— rice, grain
  • 粮— grain, food provisions

Antonyms

  • 肉— meat (contrasting food type)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Millet is a nutritious grain (粟米).
  • Ancient China collected grain taxes (纳粟).
  • He receives a government salary (俸粟).
  • The surname Su is written with this character (姓粟).

Collocations

  • Millet grain(粟米)
  • Grain tax(粟税)
  • Government salary(俸粟)
  • Grain storage(仓粟)
  • Millet porridge(粟粥)
  • Surname Su(粟姓)

Idioms

  • Tiny as a grain of millet(沧海一粟)
  • To pay grain for official position(纳粟授官)
  • Grain and silk as currency(粟帛之征)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Millet was one of the Five Sacred Crops in ancient China, essential for survival and civilization.
  • Used as currency and tax payment in feudal China, representing wealth and sustenance.
  • The character appears in historical records about grain distribution during famines.

FAQ