樹 / 树
syu⁶
The English word "tree" is translated into Cantonese as 樹 / 树 (syu⁶). If unsure, use 樹 / 树. Wiktionary also lists 樹木 / 树木 (syu⁶ muk⁶).
Meaning: large woody plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 樹 / 树 | syu⁶ |
| 樹木 / 树木 | syu⁶ muk⁶ |
The term is used to refer to a large woody plant.
Which one should you use?
樹 / 树 (syu6) refers to a single tree, whereas 樹木 / 树木 (syu6 muk6) is a more collective term used to refer to trees or woody plants in general.
How do you pronounce it?
syu⁶
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word 樹 / 树 is used in the phrase 樹大招風, which literally means 'big trees attract the wind' and warns that success brings unwanted attention or jealousy.
- While 'tree' is 樹 / 树, the word for 'branch' is 枝 / 枝 (zi1). In Cantonese, 枝 / 枝 is also a common measure word for long, thin objects like pens or sticks.
- In Hong Kong, the 'Banyan tree' 榕樹 / 榕树 is culturally significant and often associated with ancestral spirits or local village protection.
Examples in context
- 一棵樹one tree
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tree” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
