素 (sù) - plain & simple

素Tone 4

sù ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical: 糸

树檀

素 · sù

plain;

simple;

unadorned;

white;

vegetarian;

element;

basic;

usually;

always;

raw silk;

historically, undyed silk fabric

plainsimpleunadorned

Usage highlights

simple foodelementplain and elegantvitaminplain clothesvegetarian

Synonyms

  • 朴— simple, plain
  • 简— simple, brief
  • 淡— light, plain

Antonyms

  • 艳— bright-colored, gorgeous
  • 华— magnificent, luxurious
  • 荤— meat dish (opposite of vegetarian)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He prefers simple food (素菜).
  • She has a plain and elegant style (素雅).
  • This is a basic element (元素).
  • I usually get up early (素常早起).
  • The tofu is made from soybeans (素豆腐).

Collocations

  • simple food(素菜)
  • element(元素)
  • plain and elegant(素雅)
  • vitamin(维生素)
  • plain clothes(素服)
  • vegetarian(素食者)

Idioms

  • Plain silk and white horse(素车白马)
  • Remaining faithful to one's husband(素丝良马)
  • Plain food and simple living(素食布衣)
  • An honest and upright official(素丝羔羊)
  • Maintaining one's original purity(安之若素)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, '素' referred to undyed white silk, symbolizing purity, simplicity, and elegance.
  • In Confucian culture, '素' represents the virtue of being unadorned and maintaining one's original nature.
  • In Buddhism, '素' is associated with vegetarianism, representing compassion and non-violence.
  • In traditional color symbolism, white (素色) represents mourning and purity.

FAQ