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具体 (jù tǐ) — specific; concrete; definite

Definition

Means 'specific / concrete' — used when you name exact details (time, place, data) rather than speak in generalities. Pairs with 特定, which is more formal and often modifies an established category.

specificconcretedefinite

Examples

  • 具体？
    Nǐ néng gào sù wǒ jù tǐ de shí jiān hé dì diǎn ma?
    Can you tell me the specific time and place?
  • 具体。
    Zhè ge wèn tí xū yào jù tǐ de shù jù.
    This problem requires concrete data.
  • 具体。
    Wǒ men tǎo lùn le jù tǐ de ān pái.
    We discussed the specific arrangements.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

具jùto have
体tǐbody/form

具 means to have and 体 means body or form, so the word means having a definite form.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

具 pairs 廾 (two hands) with 鼎 (a cauldron), showing hands working with a cauldron to prepare food.

Open 具 →

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 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
骨骨gǔbone
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ體tǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Open 体 →
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