Meaning of 种子
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- seed
Measure word: 顆|颗,粒
How to use 种子
种子 is the everyday word for a plant seed. It is also used figuratively for the start of an idea or feeling. Example: 我在花园里种了一些种子。(Wǒ zài huāyuán lǐ zhòng le yìxiē zhǒngzi.) I planted some seeds in the garden.
种 (zhǒng) has the grain radical 禾 on the left, so think of grain you plant. Add 子 (zi), a common noun ending that also means a small thing or child, and you get the little thing a plant grows from: a seed.
Common mistake: 种 has two readings. As a noun in 种子 it is third tone zhǒng, but as the verb "to plant" it is fourth tone zhòng, so 种种子 is read zhòng zhǒngzi. Also, the 子 here is neutral tone, so do not stress it as zǐ.
种子 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.
种 zhǒng · seed · 9 strokes
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子 zi · noun suffix · 3 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 种子.
Questions about 种子
What does 种子 mean?
种子 (zhǒngzi) means "seed" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 种子?
种子 is made of 2 characters: 种 (9 strokes), 子 (3 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 种子 an HSK word?
Yes. 种子 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 种子 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 种子 is written 種子.
How do you say "plant seeds" in Chinese?
Say 种种子 (zhòng zhǒngzi). The first 种 is the verb in fourth tone, and the second is part of the noun in third tone. You can also say 播种 (bōzhǒng), which is more formal and means "to sow."
Can 种子 be used for things other than plants?
Yes. It can mean the beginning of something, like 希望的种子 (xīwàng de zhǒngzi), "the seed of hope." In sports, 种子选手 (zhǒngzi xuǎnshǒu) means a seeded player in a tournament.