二维码 (èr wéi mǎ) — QR code

Definition

noun
QR code
Measure word ·

Examples

  • 二维码
    Qǐng yòng shǒu jī sǎo yí xià èr wéi mǎ.
    Please scan the QR code with your phone.
  • 二维码
    Jiā wǒ wēi xìn, wǒ fā èr wéi mǎ gěi nǐ.
    Add me on WeChat; I'll send you the QR code.
  • 二维码
    Zhè ge èr wéi mǎ kě yǐ chá kàn cài dān.
    This QR code lets you view the menu.

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.

二维two-dimensional
èrtwowéidimension
偏正Modifier + head
code

二维码 is a 码 described as having 二 维, two dimensions, so it is a QR code.

Characters in this word

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

二 is drawn as two parallel strokes, where the number of strokes shows the amount.

Open 二 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 維; 维 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
wéiwéi
Same sound today

In the traditional form 維, 糸 marks a thread meaning and 唯 provides the sound; the simplified 维 is a later shortened shape.

Open 维 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 碼; 码 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
shístone; rock
Sound part声符shēngfú
Same sound today

The traditional form 碼 pairs 石 (stone) with 馬 for its sound; the simplified 码 is a later shorthand.

Open 码 →

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