一端 (yī duān) — one end (of a physical object); one aspect or side (of an issue, situation, or argument)

Definition

Literary phrase for 'one end' (of something physical) or 'one aspect' (of an issue). Often contrasts two sides, as in 各执一端 ('each holding to their own view').

noun
one end (of a physical object)one aspect or side (of an issue, situation, or argument)

Examples

  • 一端。
    Zhè gēn shéng zi zhǐ yǒu yī duān shì shī de.
    Only one end of this rope is wet.
  • ，一端。
    Zhè ge wèn tí hěn fù zá, wǒ men bù néng zhī kàn yī duān.
    This issue is very complex; we can't just look at one aspect.
  • 一端，。
    Shuāng fāng gè zhí yī duān, zhēng lùn le hěn jiǔ.
    Both sides stuck to their own positions and argued for a long time.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

一yīone
端duānend

一 gives the number and 端 names an end or aspect, so the word means one side of something.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
立立lì
Sound part声符shēngfú
耑
耑zhuān端duān
Same sound today

端 is made by putting 立 beside 耑. The 立 part is connected to the meaning, and 耑 gives the sound.

Open 端 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.