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蓿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
alfalfa, clover, lucernex, 14 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
Taiwan pr. [su4]unknown, 14 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
xualfalfa, clover, lucernex, 14 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
xuTaiwan pr. [su4]unknown, 14 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
xu(xu5)
primary
T5
  1. 1alfalfa, clover, lucerne
  2. 2Taiwan pr. [su4]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
xu(xu5)

The character 蓿 (xu) refers to 'alfalfa' or 'clover,' which are types of leguminous plants commonly used for animal fodder. This term is particularly relevant in agricultural contexts, especially in discussions about livestock feed and sustainable farming practices.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, alfalfa and clover are significant in the context of traditional farming practices, particularly in regions where animal husbandry is vital. These plants are often associated with rural life and sustainable agriculture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a lush field of clover where cows happily munch away. The character 蓿 resembles a plant with leaves (the top part) and roots (the bottom part), helping you visualize its meaning related to greenery and agriculture. The pronunciation 'xu' can remind you of 'chew,' as cows chew on alfalfa.

Meanings of 蓿

xu(xu5)
primary
1alfalfa, clover, lucerne
2Taiwan pr. [su4]
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蓿

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蓿

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 蓿

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a lush field of clover where cows happily munch away. The character 蓿 resembles a plant with leaves (the top part) and roots (the bottom part), helping you visualize its meaning related to greenery and agriculture. The pronunciation 'xu' can remind you of 'chew,' as cows chew on alfalfa.

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in a farming or agricultural context, so it's more formal than everyday vocabulary. Learners might confuse 蓿 with similar-sounding words, so pay attention to tone and context. Common collocations include phrases like '蓿草' (alfalfa grass).

HSK Study Tips

While 蓿 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful to know at this level for those interested in agriculture or environmental studies. Students should focus on recognizing the character's components and its pronunciation to avoid confusion with other similar words.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, alfalfa and clover are significant in the context of traditional farming practices, particularly in regions where animal husbandry is vital. These plants are often associated with rural life and sustainable agriculture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 蓿 by confusing it with similar-sounding words or neglecting the tone. For example, saying 'xu' with a rising tone instead of the correct falling tone can lead to misunderstanding. Always emphasize the correct tone for clear communication.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蓿

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Etymology of 蓿

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

grass

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)宿
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蓿?

Decomposition of 蓿

IDS Structure⿱艹宿
Full Character
=
cao3
top
宿su4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蓿?

Write 蓿

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 蓿

蓿 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

被誉为制造业之乡 、 冬枣之乡 、 苜____之乡.

Known as the hometown of the manufacturing sector, jujube village, alfalfa town.

Example Sentences for 蓿 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
被誉为制造业之乡 、 冬枣之乡 、 苜蓿之乡.

bèi yù wéi zhì zào yè zhī xiāng、 、 dōng zǎo zhī、 xiāng 、 mù xù.

Known as the hometown of the manufacturing sector, jujube village, alfalfa town.
2
苜蓿在有效钙含量不足的土壤上生长不良.

mù xù zài yǒu xiào gài hán liáng bù zú de tǔ rǎng shàng shēng cháng bù liáng.

Alfalfa will fail to grow well on soils which lack sufficient amounts of available caleium.

Cultural Notes for 蓿

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, alfalfa and clover are significant in the context of traditional farming practices, particularly in regions where animal husbandry is vital. These plants are often associated with rural life and sustainable agriculture.

Word Family of 蓿

Words Containing This Character2
苜蓿lucerne
xuclover
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 苜蓿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蓿

蓿 specifically refers to alfalfa or clover, while other names like 草 (cǎo) refer generically to grass. It's important to know the specific types for accurate communication.