株

• Pinyin: zhū
• Hanzi breakdown: 株 = 木 (wood/tree) + 朱 (vermilion, phonetic)

Meaning

Measure word for plants, especially trees. Used to count individual plants, trees, or seedlings.

A classical measure word specifically for plants rooted in the ground. Common in agricultural, gardening, and forestry contexts. Also appears in the idiom 守株待兔 (wait by a tree stump for a rabbit). More formal than 棵.

Examples

1. 花园里种了几株玫瑰。 Several rose bushes were planted in the garden.
2. 这株古树已有五百年历史。 This ancient tree is already 500 years old.
3. 农民买了一百株果树苗。 The farmer bought 100 fruit tree saplings.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, gardening, literary

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这株盆栽养了十年了。(This potted plant has been cultivated for ten years.)
• 园丁移栽了三株樱花树。(The gardener transplanted three cherry trees.)

Don't Say

• 一株花瓶 — 株 is only for living plants, use 个 for objects

Origin & History

株 originally meant tree stump or root, later became a measure word for plants

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal