交卷 (jiāo juàn) — to hand in an exam paper; to complete a task, to deliver on a responsibility

Definition

Literally 'hand in the exam paper', but figuratively used for finishing and submitting any task or project on time — like English 'turn in' or 'deliver'.

verb
to hand in an exam paperto complete a taskto deliver on a responsibility

Examples

  • ，交卷。
    Kǎo shì shí jiān dào le, dà jiā bì xū jiāo juàn.
    The exam time is up; everyone must hand in their papers.
  • ，。
    Tā jiāo le yí fèn wán měi de juàn, lǎo bǎn hěn mǎn yì.
    He turned in a perfect paper, and the boss was very satisfied.
  • 交卷，。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù yuè dǐ bì xū jiāo juàn, dà jiā jiā bǎ jìn.
    This project must be completed by the end of the month; everyone step up.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

交jiāohand in
卷juànpaper

交 hand in and 卷 paper combine to mean submit an exam paper.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

交 originally drew a human with crossed legs. In the modern shape, the upper part resembles a standing person.

Open 交 →

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
卩卩jiékneeling person
Sound part声符shēngfú
𢍏
𢍏𢍏卷juàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 卷, 卩 shows a kneeling person, while 𢍏 gives the sound and may also suggest bending or rolling, as in a reel of books.

Open 卷 →

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