冰点 (bīng diǎn) — freezing point (the temperature at which a liquid freezes, especially water at 0°C)

Definition

冰 (bīng) means 'ice' and 点 (diǎn) means 'point' — literally 'ice point', the temperature at which a liquid freezes, most often water at 0°C.

noun
freezing point (the temperature at which a liquid freezes, especially water at 0°C)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 冰点。
    Jīn tiān qì wēn jiàng dào le bīng diǎn yǐ xià.
    Today the temperature dropped below freezing point.
  • 冰点。
    Shuǐ de bīng diǎn shì líng shè shì dù.
    The freezing point of water is zero degrees Celsius.
  • 冰点。
    Kē xué jiā zài yán jiū yán duì bīng diǎn de yǐng xiǎng.
    Scientists are studying the effect of salt on the freezing point.

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.

冰bīngice
点diǎnpoint

冰 ice indicates the point at which something becomes ice or freezes.

Characters in this word

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
水水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
冫
仌bīng冰bīng
Same sound today

冰 adds 水 (water) to 冫, the short form of 仌; 冫 gives the sound, and 水 shows the meaning.

Open 冰 →

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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