() — (bound form) companion; partner

Definition

侣 (lǚ) is a bound form meaning 'companion' or 'partner' — it only appears as the second character in compounds like 伴侣 or 情侣. Standalone 伴 alone already carries the meaning.

bound form
companionpartner

Examples

  • Tā men shì duō nián lái de hǎo bàn lǚ.
    They have been good companions for many years.
  • Zhè duì qíng lǚ zài gōng yuán lǐ sàn bù.
    This couple is taking a walk in the park.
  • Dòng wù shì rén lèi zhōng shí de bàn lǚ.
    Animals are loyal companions of humans.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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 侶; 侣 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asrénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
Same sound today

The traditional form 侶 is made from 人 (person) and 呂; 人 gives the companion meaning and 呂 gives the sound.

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