藻 (zǎo) - Algae & aquatic plants

藻Tone 3

zǎo ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

藻 · zǎo

Algae;

aquatic plants;

literary ornamentation;

elegant writing;

decorative patterns.

Algaeaquatic plantsliterary ornamentation

Usage highlights

AlgaeLiterary embellishmentSeaweedOrnate languagePond algaeBlue

Synonyms

  • 藓— moss (botanical context)
  • 萍— duckweed (aquatic plants)
  • 饰— decoration, ornament (literary context)

Antonyms

  • 朴— simple, plain (opposite of ornate)
  • 拙— clumsy, unrefined (opposite of elegant)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The pond is covered with algae (藻类).
  • Her writing is highly ornate (辞藻华丽).
  • They studied marine biology (海洋藻类学).
  • This text uses elaborate diction (藻饰的文字).

Collocations

  • Algae(藻类)
  • Literary embellishment(辞藻)
  • Seaweed(海藻)
  • Ornate language(藻饰)
  • Pond algae(池藻)
  • Blue-green algae(蓝藻)

Idioms

  • Flowery language and ornate diction(丽藻春葩)
  • Accumulated knowledge and literary talent(才藻富赡)
  • Elegant diction and literary grace(鸿笔丽藻)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese literature, 藻 represents literary elegance and refined expression.
  • The character appears in botanical contexts for various aquatic plants and algae.
  • Historically used in scholarly contexts to praise someone's literary talent and ornate writing style.

FAQ