可信 (kě xìn) — trustworthy, reliable, credible | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

adjective

trustworthyreliablecredible

Examples

可信，。
Zhè ge xìn xī bú tài kě xìn, nǐ zuì hǎo zài què rèn yí xià.
This information is not very credible — you'd better double-check it.
可信，。
Tā shì yí wèi kě xìn de hé zuò huǒ bàn, wǒ men hé zuò le hěn duō nián.
He is a trustworthy partner; we have worked together for many years.
可信，。
Zhè xiē shù jù lái zì kě xìn de lái yuán, kě yǐ fàng xīn shǐ yòng.
These data come from a reliable source and can be used with confidence.

Origin

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可 gives the sense of can be, and 信 means trust, so the result is trustworthy.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

丂

丂kǎo可kě

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

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

言言yánwords

Sound part声符shēngfú

人

人rén信xìn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

信 pairs 人 as the sound part with 言 (words) as the meaning part.

Appears in

Personality & Traits

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