zǐ

耔

Character · Verb

earth up; hill up

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 3 examples
1.

verb

to earth up; to heap soil around the base of plants; to hill up

literary

A classical agricultural term found in early Chinese texts such as the *Shījīng* (Classic of Poetry). It refers to the practice of mounding soil around the stems of crops to support growth, prevent lodging, and protect roots.

Huò或
yún耘
huò或
zǐ耔
 ，
shǔ黍
jì稷
nǐ薿
nǐ薿
 。

Some weeded and some earthed up the soil, and the millet grew luxuriantly.

Nóng农
fū夫
qín勤
yún耘
zǐ耔
 ，
hé禾
miáo苗
dé得
suǒ所
yǎng养
 。

The farmer diligently weeds and mounds up the soil, so the seedlings receive proper nourishment.

Show 1 more example
Gǔ古
rén人
zǐ耔
miáo苗
yǐ以
gù固
qí其
gēn根
 ，
jīn今
zhī之
nóng农
rén人
yì亦
rán然
 。

The ancients earthed up seedlings to secure their roots, and today's farmers do the same.