菊 meaning and stroke order
Chrysanthemum
How to write 菊, stroke by stroke
11 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 菊
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) chrysanthemum
How 菊 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Flower.
艹 gives the meaning and 匊 hints at the sound.
Radical: 艹 (grass), shared by 421 characters on this site.
How to remember 菊
The grass radical 艹 on top tells you this is a plant, and 匊 (jū) underneath gives the sound. Picture a flower 艹 whose many petals curl inward like a cupped hand, and you have the chrysanthemum 菊 (jú).
菊 is a bound form, so it almost always appears inside words like 菊花 (júhuā, chrysanthemum) or 雏菊 (chújú, daisy). 菊花 is also a common herbal tea. Example: 我想喝一杯菊花茶。(Wǒ xiǎng hē yì bēi júhuā chá.) I'd like a cup of chrysanthemum tea.
Common mistake: Learners often say jū or jù because the phonetic 匊 is read jū, but 菊 is second tone, jú. Also, do not use 菊 alone to mean the flower in speech. Say 菊花 instead.
Common words with 菊
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
菊 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 菊
How many strokes are in 菊?
菊 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 菊 mean?
菊 (jú) means chrysanthemum. A common word with it is 菊花 (júhuā), meaning "chrysanthemum; (TCM) chrysanthemum flower".
How do you pronounce 菊?
菊 is pronounced jú, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 菊?
The radical of 菊 is 艹, which carries the idea of "grass". Dictionaries list 菊 under this radical.
Is 菊 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 菊 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
Why is chrysanthemum tea so common in China?
In traditional Chinese medicine, 菊花 is considered cooling and is said to clear heat and soothe the eyes. That is why 菊花茶 (júhuā chá) is a popular everyday drink, especially in hot weather.
Does the chrysanthemum have a special meaning in Chinese culture?
Yes. 菊 is one of the Four Gentlemen (四君子 sì jūnzǐ) of Chinese painting, along with plum, orchid, and bamboo, and it symbolizes integrity. Chrysanthemums are also linked to autumn and are often used to honor the dead, so avoid giving them as a casual gift.