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内核 (nèi hé) — kernel (of a nut or pit); core, crux, main point; (computing) kernel, kernel space

Definition

Literally 'inner core,' used for the core of a problem/argument and the technical 'kernel' in computing. More formal than 核心, with no emotional or metaphorical warmth — it's the hard center.

noun
kernel (of a nut or pit)corecruxmain point(computing) kernelkernel space

Examples

  • 内核。
    Zhè ge táo zi de nèi hé hěn yìng.
    The kernel of this peach is very hard.
  • 内核。
    Wèn tí de nèi hé zài yú quē fá gōu tōng.
    The crux of the problem lies in a lack of communication.
  • 内核。
    Cāo zuò xì tǒng de nèi hé fù zé guǎn lǐ nèi cún.
    The operating system kernel is responsible for managing memory.

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.

内nèiinner
核hécore

Inner and core combine to mean the central part of a nut or a system.

Characters in this word

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

  • 入入rùto enter
  • 冂冂jiōnghouse

The shape shows 入 entering into 冂, a house, so it pictures bringing something indoors, giving the sense inside.

Open 内 →

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
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
亥
亥hài核hé
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

核 pairs 木, a tree, with 亥 to give its sound; it originally named a kind of tree, and its later meanings are borrowed.

Open 核 →
Appears in
Abstract ConceptsComputers & Internet

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