菽 (shū) - Bean — refers to beans, legumes, or pulses & a general term for beans in classical Chinese.

菽Tone 1

shū ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

姝树

菽 · shū

Bean — refers to beans, legumes, or pulses;

a general term for beans in classical Chinese.

Bean — refers to beans, legumes, or pulsesa general term for beans in classical Chinese.

Usage highlights

Beans and milletBeans and grainsBeans and waterLegumes and pulsesUnfamiliar with beans and wheat

Synonyms

  • 豆— bean, legume

Antonyms

  • 麦— wheat (contrasted in idiom 不辨菽麦)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He grows beans and grains (菽粟).
  • The ancient text mentions beans and millet (菽麦).
  • Legumes are a source of protein (豆菽).
  • The people live on beans and water (饮水食菽).

Collocations

  • Beans and millet(菽麦)
  • Beans and grains(菽粟)
  • Beans and water(饮水食菽)
  • Legumes and pulses(豆菽)
  • Unfamiliar with beans and wheat(不辨菽麦)

Idioms

  • Cannot tell beans from wheat(不辨菽麦)
  • Drink water and eat beans(饮水食菽)
  • Serve one's parents with beans and water(啜菽饮水)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, beans were a staple food for common people, symbolizing simple living.
  • The idiom '不辨菽麦' (cannot tell beans from wheat) describes extreme ignorance or lack of practical knowledge.
  • Mentioned in classical texts like the Book of Songs as a fundamental crop.

FAQ