Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
屮chè(che4)
The character 屮 (chè) represents the concept of a sprout or the early stage of plant growth. It is often used to describe new life emerging from the ground, symbolizing beginnings and growth. This character can also appear in compound words related to plants and nature.
Strokes3Radical屮
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the growth of plants symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings, making 屮 a character that embodies hope and renewal. Spring festivals often emphasize the theme of growth, aligning with the meaning of this character.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny sprout (屮) breaking through the soil, reaching up towards the sun. The character looks like a little plant emerging, with the '丿' (piě) on the sides resembling leaves. Think of 'chè' as 'ch' in 'chick', as both suggest something new and lively.
Meanings of 屮
chè(che4)
1sprout
2plants sprouting
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 屮
屮Simplified
3Strokes
屮Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 屮
Podcast: 屮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 屮
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny sprout (屮) breaking through the soil, reaching up towards the sun. The character looks like a little plant emerging, with the '丿' (piě) on the sides resembling leaves. Think of 'chè' as 'ch' in 'chick', as both suggest something new and lively.
Usage Notes
This character is rarely used alone in modern Mandarin; instead, it often appears in combination with other characters to form words related to plants. Be cautious with pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to misunderstandings, given that 'chè' is pronounced with a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 屮 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your grasp of related terms. Focus on recognizing it in context, especially in botanical terms or poetic expressions that refer to nature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the growth of plants symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings, making 屮 a character that embodies hope and renewal. Spring festivals often emphasize the theme of growth, aligning with the meaning of this character.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 屮 with other similar-looking characters, such as 𠂇 (hè). Make sure you practice differentiating them, as they have distinct meanings and usages.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 屮
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 屮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 屮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 屮
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the growth of plants symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings, making 屮 a character that embodies hope and renewal. Spring festivals often emphasize the theme of growth, aligning with the meaning of this character.
Word Family of 屮
Words Containing This Character1
屮chèplants sprouting
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 屮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 屮
No, 屮 is not typically used alone in conversation; it mainly appears in compound words related to plants.
Associate 屮 with 'chick', as both suggest something young and new, helping you recall the sound 'chè'.
Characters like 草 (cǎo, grass) and 苗 (miáo, seedling) are related and often used in contexts discussing plants.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 屮?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
