束

• Pinyin: shù
• Hanzi breakdown: 束 = pictograph of sticks or grain stalks bound together with a cord in the middle

Meaning

A bunch of; a bundle of. A measure word used for things that can be tied or grouped together, such as flowers or light.

Most commonly used with 花 (flowers): 一束花 (a bouquet). Also used with 光 (light): 一束光 (a beam of light). Less common than 把 or 个 in everyday speech, but essential for flower-related contexts.

Examples

1. 他送给她一束美丽的玫瑰花。 He gave her a beautiful bouquet of roses.
2. 一束阳光照进了房间。 A beam of sunlight shone into the room.
3. 她手里拿着一束鲜花。 She was holding a bunch of fresh flowers in her hand.

Usage Guide

Context: gifts, descriptions, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我想买一束花送给妈妈。(I want to buy a bouquet of flowers for my mum.)
• 一束光从窗户照进来。(A beam of light shone in through the window.)

Don't Say

• 给我一束水。(Don't use 束 for liquids or uncountable things — 束 is for things that can be bundled or tied together, like flowers or light rays.)

Origin & History

A pictograph depicting stalks of grain or sticks tied together. The original meaning of 'bundle' naturally extended to become a measure word.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal