noun HSK 5
Traditional 麥苗
wheat seedling · young wheat plant
Meaning
麦苗 refers to young wheat plants in their early growth stage, from germination through the seedling phase before maturity. This term is commonly used in agricultural contexts and pastoral imagery in Chinese poetry and literature.
Usage
This word appears frequently in agricultural discussions, weather forecasts (especially regarding frost damage), and classical Chinese poetry where green wheat fields symbolize spring vitality and rural life. It's also used metaphorically to describe young, tender growth or new beginnings.
Examples
- 01春天来了，田野里的麦苗绿油油的，长势很好。, , .Spring has come, and the wheat seedlings in the fields are lush and green, growing very well.
- 02寒流来袭，农民们担心麦苗会被冻坏。, .With the cold snap arriving, the farmers worry that the wheat seedlings will be damaged by frost.
Characters
Measure words
- 株一株麦苗
- 片一片麦苗
Common collocations
- 麦苗返青wheat seedlings turn green (after winter)
- 麦苗生长wheat seedlings grow
- 绿油油的麦苗lush green wheat seedlings
Origin
Compound word combining 麦 (wheat) with 苗 (seedling/sprout). The character 麦 originally depicted wheat stalks, while 苗 shows plants sprouting from the field (田).