枵
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: hollow of a tree
💡 Think 'xiao' as 'hollow'—a tree (木) with empty inside, like a straw.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
As an archaeologist of script, I uncover 枵 (xiāo), a character picturing a tree (木) that is hollow inside. Its ancient meaning, 'hollow of a tree,' extends metaphorically to describe emptiness or insubstantiality—like a hollow trunk. In classical texts, 枵 often appears in the compound 枵腹 (xiāo fù), meaning 'empty stomach,' reflecting hunger or lack. The radical 木 ties it to wood, but the hollow nature reveals a deeper cultural understanding of void within form.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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