Meaning of 树
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- tree
- to cultivate
- to set up
Measure word: 棵
How to use 树
In everyday speech 树 means a tree, and it often combines with other words to name kinds of trees or tree parts, like 树叶 (shùyè) leaves and 果树 (guǒshù) fruit tree. The meanings to cultivate and to set up appear mostly in set phrases and formal writing. Example: 院子里有一棵树。(Yuànzi lǐ yǒu yì kē shù.) There is a tree in the yard.
树 (shù) has the wood radical 木 (mù) on the left, so it is about trees. Picture a hand 寸 (cùn) on the right steadying a small plant 又 (yòu) beside a 木, as if someone is planting and setting up a tree.
Common mistake: Learners often write the middle part as 又 but forget the right side 寸, or mix up 树 with 对 (duì), which has 又 and 寸 but no 木. Remember: 木 + 对 = 树.
树 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
树 shù · tree · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 树.
| 树林 | shùlín | woods; grove |
| 树叶 | shùyè | tree leaves |
| 松树 | sōngshù | pine; pine tree |
| 桃树 | táoshù | peach tree |
| 果树 | guǒshù | fruit tree |
| 树木 | shùmù | tree |
| 树枝 | shùzhī | branch; twig |
| 树立 | shùlì | to set up; to establish |
| 柳树 | liǔshù | willow |
| 柏树 | bǎishù | cypress tree; Taiwan pr. [bo2 shu4] |
| 槐树 | huáishù | locust tree (Sophora japonica) |
| 建树 | jiànshù | to make a contribution; to establish |
Questions about 树
What does 树 mean?
树 (shù) means "tree; to cultivate" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 树?
树 is made of 1 character: 树 (9 strokes). That is 9 strokes in total.
Is 树 an HSK word?
Yes. 树 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 树 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 树 is written 樹.
What measure word is used with 树?
Use 棵 (kē) for trees, as in 一棵树 (yì kē shù), one tree. Using 个 (gè) is understood but sounds less natural.
What is the difference between 树 and 树木?
树 is the everyday word and can refer to one tree or trees in general. 树木 (shùmù) is more formal and collective, used for trees as a group, so you would not say 一棵树木 in normal speech.