薸 (piáo) - Duckweed — refers to various small floating aquatic

薸Tone 2

piáo ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

薸 · piáo

Duckweed — refers to various small floating aquatic plants, particularly those in the genus Lemna or Spirodela, that form green mats on still water surfaces.

Duckweed — refers to various small floating aquatic

Usage highlights

Water duckweedFloating duckweedDuckweed coveringGreen duckweedDuckweed medicineDuckweed pond

Synonyms

  • 浮萍— duckweed (more common term)
  • 萍— duckweed (simpler form)

Antonyms

  • 根— root (antithetical to duckweed's rootless nature)
  • 树— tree (contrasts stationary vs. floating)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The pond surface was covered with duckweed (水薸).
  • Duckweed floats on water (薸浮于水).
  • Fish sometimes hide under duckweed mats (鱼藏于薸下).
  • Duckweed is used in traditional medicine (薸可入药).

Collocations

  • Water duckweed(水薸)
  • Floating duckweed(浮薸)
  • Duckweed covering(薸覆)
  • Green duckweed(青薸)
  • Duckweed medicine(薸药)
  • Duckweed pond(薸塘)

Idioms

  • Floating like duckweed(如薸浮水)
  • Duckweed without roots(无根之薸)
  • Duckweed following the current(随波逐薸)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Duckweed symbolizes transience and rootlessness in Chinese culture due to its floating nature.
  • In traditional medicine, certain duckweeds were used for skin conditions and fevers.
  • The character appears in classical poetry as a metaphor for wandering or impermanence.

FAQ