Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
椿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
椿chūnChinese toon tree; father (poetic)g, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #60438, Very Hard
椿chūnChinese toon (Toona sinensis)unknown, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #60438, Very Hard
椿chūntree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)unknown, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #60438, Very Hard
椿chūn(literary metaphor) fatherunknown, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #60438, Very Hard
chūn(chun1) T1
  1. 1Chinese toon tree; father (poetic)
  2. 2Chinese toon (Toona sinensis)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

椿chūn(chun1)

椿 (chūn) refers to the Chinese toon tree, known for its edible young leaves. It can also poetically denote 'father,' representing a traditional figure or protector in literature. This character is often used in literary contexts, where it symbolizes nature and familial bonds.

Strokes13Radical木Frequency#60438DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Chinese toon tree is appreciated for its culinary uses, particularly in spring dishes, reflecting the importance of seasonal ingredients in Chinese cuisine. The poetic use of 椿 for 'father' evokes respect and reverence for paternal figures.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand tree (椿) with strong roots representing a father figure. The top of the tree (木) reaches towards the sky, symbolizing growth and nurturing. The sound 'chūn' can be remembered as 'tune'—think of a father singing a tune under this tree, connecting family and nature.

Meanings of 椿

chūn(chun1)
1Chinese toon tree; father (poetic)
2Chinese toon (Toona sinensis)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 椿

椿Simplified
13Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 椿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 椿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 椿

Usage Notes

椿 is primarily used in literary contexts, so it may come off as overly formal or poetic in everyday conversation. Be cautious not to confuse it with other tree-related characters like 树 (shù, tree) or 木 (mù, wood). Its usage as 'father' is less common and should be reserved for poetic or formal situations.

HSK Study Tips

While 椿 is not included in the HSK, understanding it enriches vocabulary related to nature and familial terms. Students at this level should focus on the character's components, especially the tree radical (木), to recognize similar tree-related characters.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 椿 with other tree characters and might use it incorrectly in casual conversation. For example, saying '我喜欢椿' (I like toon) instead of the more appropriate '我喜欢这棵树' (I like this tree) can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 椿

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 椿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 椿

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 春 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)春
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 椿

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 春 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half春 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 椿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 椿?

Decomposition of 椿

IDS Structure⿰木春
椿Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
春chun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 椿?

How to say Chinese toon tree; father (poetic) in Chinese

“Chinese toon tree; father (poetic)” in Chinese is椿chūn

椿 (chūn) refers to the Chinese toon tree, known for its edible young leaves. It can also poetically denote 'father,' representing a traditional figure or protector in literature. This character is often used in literary contexts, where it symbolizes nature and familial bonds.

When to use 椿

椿 is primarily used in literary contexts, so it may come off as overly formal or poetic in everyday conversation. Be cautious not to confuse it with other tree-related characters like 树 (shù, tree) or 木 (mù, wood). Its usage as 'father' is less common and should be reserved for poetic or formal situations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 椿 with other tree characters and might use it incorrectly in casual conversation. For example, saying '我喜欢椿' (I like toon) instead of the more appropriate '我喜欢这棵树' (I like this tree) can lead to misunderstanding.

Write 椿

椿

Practice writing 椿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 椿

Words Containing This Character3
香椿Chinese toon (Toona sinensis), deciduous tree whose young leaves are used as a vegetable
椿chūnChinese toon (Toona sinensis)
椿象stink bug
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 香椿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 椿

It literally means 'Chinese toon tree' but can also poetically refer to 'father'.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 椿?

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.