Meaning and Usage
The character 株 primarily refers to the trunk or base of a tree, but it is also commonly used as a measure word for plants, especially individual plants or bushes. When you say 一株 (yī zhū), it means 'one plant' or 'one bush.' This usage is common in gardening, agriculture, and botany contexts.
Common Collocations
- 种一株 (zhòng yī zhū): to plant one plant
- 几株植物 (jǐ zhū zhíwù): several plants
- 高大的树株 (gāodà de shù zhū): tall tree trunks
Usage Notes
When using 株 as a measure word, it usually refers to plants that have a distinct stem or trunk, such as trees, bushes, or larger plants. It is less common to use 株 for small herbs or flowers without a clear stem.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 株 with 棵 (kē), another measure word for plants. 株 often emphasizes the plant as a whole individual with a trunk or stem, while 棵 is more general for counting plants. For example, you might say 一株玫瑰 (one rose bush) but 一棵树 (one tree).