tú
荼
bitter herb; reed flower
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
a bitter edible plant mentioned in ancient texts; sowthistle
archaicRefers to various bitter leafy vegetables (such as sowthistle) in ancient Chinese literature, often used metaphorically for hardship or suffering.
Tú荼
zhè这
zhǒng种
yě野
cài菜
wèi味
dào道
jí极
kǔ苦
。
This wild vegetable called tu tastes extremely bitter.
Gǔ古
dài代
bǎi百
xìng姓
cháng常
yǐ以
tú荼
wéi为
shí食
。
Common people in ancient times often used tu as food.
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Shí食
tú荼
zhī之
kǔ苦
，
fāng方
zhī知
gān甘
tián甜
zhī之
guì贵
。
Only by eating the bitterness of sowthistle does one know the value of sweetness.
noun
the white flower of reed or thatch grass
archaicMost commonly encountered in the idiom 如火如荼, describing a scene that is vigorous, magnificent, or intense like raging fire and white flowers.
Rú如
huǒ火
rú如
tú荼
de地
jìn进
xíng行
zhe着
。
The proceedings are in full swing.
Sài赛
chǎng场
shàng上
de的
jìng竞
zhēng争
rú如
huǒ火
rú如
tú荼
。
The competition on the field is intense and fierce.
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Yùn运
dòng动
huì会
shàng上
，
gè各
xiàng项
bǐ比
sài赛
jìn进
xíng行
de得
rú如
huǒ火
rú如
tú荼
。
At the sports meet, every competition was proceeding with tremendous vigor.