Overview
The Chinese word '种子' (zhǒng zi) directly translates to 'seed' in English. It is a fundamental term with both literal and metaphorical meanings, deeply embedded in various aspects of Chinese culture and language.
Literally, '种子' refers to the small, embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, from which a new plant can grow. This meaning is prevalent in agriculture, botany, and everyday life. For instance, '播种' (bō zhǒng) means 'to sow seeds,' and '种子发芽' (zhǒng zi fā yá) means 'seeds germinate.' Farmers carefully select good '种子' for their crops, and gardeners nurture '种子' to grow beautiful flowers.
Metaphorically, '种子' carries a rich array of extended meanings. It often represents:
- 1Origin or beginning: Just as a seed is the origin of a plant, '种子' can refer to the starting point or source of something. For example, '希望的种子' (xī wàng de zhǒng zi) means 'seeds of hope,' suggesting the beginning of optimism or a positive outlook. Similarly, '思想的种子' (sī xiǎng de zhǒng zi) refers to 'seeds of thought,' indicating the initial ideas or concepts that lead to further development.
- 1Potential or latent ability: A seed holds the potential for a full-grown plant, and likewise, '种子' can symbolize untapped potential or undeveloped talent. For instance, '天才的种子' (tiān cái de zhǒng zi) means 'seeds of genius,' implying inherent talent that needs nurturing to blossom. An educator might speak of identifying '种子选手' (zhǒng zi xuǎn shǒu), referring to a 'seeded player' or a promising candidate with high potential in a competition.
- 1Core or essence: In some contexts, '种子' can denote the fundamental or essential element of something. While less common than the previous two, it can appear in philosophical or abstract discussions.
- 1Heredity or lineage (less common): In some very specific contexts, especially related to genetics or lineage, it might indirectly imply a hereditary element, though '基因' (jī yīn - gene) is more commonly used for this.
The character '种' (zhǒng) itself has multiple meanings, including 'kind,' 'type,' 'race,' or 'to plant.' When combined with '子' (zi), which often acts as a diminutive or a noun suffix, it specifically solidifies the meaning of 'seed.'
Understanding '种子' requires appreciating its dual nature: its concrete botanical meaning and its expansive metaphorical applications, which highlight its role as a symbol of origin, potential, and growth in the Chinese language.
예시
农民把种子播撒到田地里。
agricultureFarmers sow seeds in the fields.
这颗种子蕴藏着巨大的生命力。
figurative/biologyThis seed contains immense vitality.
希望的种子已经在人们心中生根发芽。
figurativeThe seeds of hope have already taken root and sprouted in people's hearts.
这个想法就像一颗种子，需要时间和培养才能成长。
figurativeThis idea is like a seed, needing time and cultivation to grow.
他心里埋下了复仇的种子。
figurativeHe planted the seeds of revenge in his heart.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 혼동되는 단어
The pinyin is very similar, but the tone of the second character is different. 种子 is 'zhǒng zi' with a light tone on 'zi', while 种类 is 'zhǒng lèi' with a falling tone on 'lèi'. 种子 means 'seed', while 种类 means 'kind, type, sort'.
The first character is the same, but the second character is different. 种子 is 'zhǒng zi' and means 'seed'. 种植 is 'zhǒng zhí' and means 'to plant, to grow'.
문법 패턴
How to Use It
사용 참고사항
The word '种子' (zhǒngzi) is a common and versatile noun in Mandarin Chinese. Its primary and most frequent usage is to refer to a literal botanical seed, such as '菜种子' (cài zhǒngzi - vegetable seeds) or '花种子' (huā zhǒngzi - flower seeds). Beyond this literal sense, it is widely used metaphorically. For example, '希望的种子' (xīwàng de zhǒngzi) means 'seeds of hope,' and '革命的种子' (gémìng de zhǒngzi) refers to 'seeds of revolution.' It can also describe the 'seed' of an idea or a concept, as in '创意的种子' (chuàngyì de zhǒngzi - creative seeds). When used in a figurative context, the meaning is generally understood from the surrounding words. The character '种' (zhǒng) itself can also mean 'kind,' 'type,' or 'race,' but when paired with '子' (zi) to form '种子,' it specifically denotes a seed.
자주 하는 실수
None that are common enough to note.
Tips
Word Decomposition
The word '种子' (zhǒngzi) is composed of two characters: '种' (zhǒng) and '子' (zi). '种' means 'seed,' 'species,' or 'type,' and '子' is a suffix often used to denote small things or create nouns from verbs/adjectives. Together, they clearly mean 'seed.'
Common Pitfalls
While '种' alone can mean 'seed' in some contexts, '种子' is the more common and unambiguous term for a physical seed. Using just '种' might lead to confusion with its other meanings like 'type' or 'to plant.'
Usage in Context
'种子' is frequently used in various contexts: for literal seeds (e.g., '植物种子' - plant seeds), as a metaphor for origin or potential (e.g., '希望的种子' - seeds of hope), or even in biological terms for reproductive cells. Consider the context to grasp its full meaning.
어원
The character '种' (zhǒng) originally depicted a sprouted plant. The character '子' (zǐ) is a pictograph of a child.
문화적 맥락
In Chinese culture, the word '种子' (zhǒngzi), meaning 'seed,' carries rich symbolic weight beyond its literal agricultural meaning. Seeds are often associated with beginnings, potential, and continuity. They represent the origin of life, growth, and the promise of future generations. In traditional philosophy, particularly Taoism, the concept of a seed aligns with the idea of a latent force or a nascent state from which everything unfolds. It can also symbolize hope, resilience, and the power of small beginnings leading to significant outcomes. Furthermore, in art and literature, seeds frequently appear as metaphors for ideas, dreams, or even the essence of a person's character, suggesting inherent qualities that will eventually blossom.
암기 팁
The character '种' (zhǒng) means 'kind, type, race, seed'. The character '子' (zǐ) means 'son, child, seed'. Together, '种子' literally means 'seed child', referring to a seed.
자주 묻는 질문
4 질문'种子' (zhǒngzi) primarily means 'seed' in Chinese. It refers to the small, hard part produced by a plant, from which a new plant can grow. This can be a literal seed, like a sunflower seed or a corn seed, or it can be used metaphorically to represent the origin or beginning of something. For example, one might talk about the 'seeds of an idea' or the 'seeds of discontent' to convey the nascent stages of a concept or a problem.
Yes, '种子' is very commonly used metaphorically in Chinese. Beyond its literal meaning of a plant's reproductive unit, it can represent the initial spark, origin, or fundamental element from which something develops. For instance, '希望的种子' (xīwàng de zhǒngzi) translates to 'seeds of hope,' implying the small beginnings of optimism. Similarly, it can refer to the core idea or foundation that will grow into something larger, like the 'seed of a plan' or a 'seed investor' in a business context, indicating the fundamental capital that initiates growth.
Several common phrases and idioms incorporate '种子'. A prominent one is '播下种子' (bō xià zhǒngzi), meaning 'to sow seeds,' which can literally refer to planting or metaphorically to initiating something or spreading an idea. Another is '希望的种子' (xīwàng de zhǒngzi), meaning 'seeds of hope,' as mentioned earlier. Furthermore, in certain contexts, '种子选手' (zhǒngzi xuǎnshǒu) refers to a 'seeded player' or a top-ranked contestant in sports, indicating their initial strong standing that gives them an advantage.
'种子' is pronounced 'zhǒngzi' in Mandarin Chinese. The first character, '种' (zhǒng), is pronounced with a third tone, which is a dipping tone, falling and then rising. The second character, '子' (zi), is a neutral tone, often pronounced lightly and briefly without a distinct pitch contour. When combined, it flows as 'zhǒng-zi', with the emphasis typically on the first syllable. This pronunciation is consistent whether referring to a literal seed or its metaphorical applications.
셀프 테스트
在春天，农民们把_____播种到田里。
这个故事在我的心里种下了一颗希望的_____。
为了保护稀有植物，科学家们收集了它们的_____。
점수: /3
Word Decomposition
The word '种子' (zhǒngzi) is composed of two characters: '种' (zhǒng) and '子' (zi). '种' means 'seed,' 'species,' or 'type,' and '子' is a suffix often used to denote small things or create nouns from verbs/adjectives. Together, they clearly mean 'seed.'
Common Pitfalls
While '种' alone can mean 'seed' in some contexts, '种子' is the more common and unambiguous term for a physical seed. Using just '种' might lead to confusion with its other meanings like 'type' or 'to plant.'
Usage in Context
'种子' is frequently used in various contexts: for literal seeds (e.g., '植物种子' - plant seeds), as a metaphor for origin or potential (e.g., '希望的种子' - seeds of hope), or even in biological terms for reproductive cells. Consider the context to grasp its full meaning.
예시
5 / 5农民把种子播撒到田地里。
Farmers sow seeds in the fields.
这颗种子蕴藏着巨大的生命力。
This seed contains immense vitality.
希望的种子已经在人们心中生根发芽。
The seeds of hope have already taken root and sprouted in people's hearts.
这个想法就像一颗种子，需要时间和培养才能成长。
This idea is like a seed, needing time and cultivation to grow.
他心里埋下了复仇的种子。
He planted the seeds of revenge in his heart.
