凑近 (còu jìn) — to approach, to lean close to

Definition

A verb meaning to physically lean in or move closer to something — usually to see, hear, or look more carefully. Often pairs with 看看 or 听听 to indicate leaning in to observe.

verb
to approachto lean close to

Examples

  • 凑近。
    Tā còu jìn wǒ ěr biān shuō qiāo qiāo huà.
    He leaned close to my ear to whisper.
  • 凑近，。
    Nǐ còu jìn yì diǎn, jiù néng kàn dé gèng qīng chǔ.
    Lean in a bit closer, and you'll be able to see more clearly.
  • 凑近。
    Tā còu jìn kàn le kàn nà zhāng huà.
    She leaned in and took a look at that painting.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

凑còumove toward
近jìnclose

凑 means move toward and 近 means close, so together they mean lean close.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 湊; 凑 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
奏
奏zòu湊còu
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 湊 uses 氵 (water) as the meaning element and 奏 as the sound element. The simplified 凑 is a later shorthand.

Open 凑 →

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
辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
斤
斤jīn近jìn
Same sound today

近 combines 辶, a walking radical, with 斤, which gives the sound. The walking part fits the idea of moving close to something.

Open 近 →

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