右臂 (yòu bei) — right arm (literal); right-hand man, important helper (figurative)

Definition

Literally the right arm; used figuratively for someone's most trusted helper, the person they rely on most.

noun
right arm (literal)right-hand manimportant helper (figurative)
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • 右臂。
    Tā de yòu bei zài shì gù zhōng shòu le shāng.
    His right arm was injured in the accident.
  • 右臂。
    Zhè wèi fù zǒng jīng lǐ xiǎng zhǎo yí gè kě kào de yòu bei.
    This deputy general manager wants to find a reliable right-hand man.
  • ,右臂。
    Zài gōng sī lǐ, tā yì zhí shì lǎo bǎn de yòu bei.
    In the company, she has always been the boss's right-hand person.

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.

右yòuright

右 “right” describes 臂 “arm”, the arm on the right side.

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
又
又yòu右yòu
Same sound today

右 is made from 又, which supplied the sound, with 口 added as a distinguishing mark.

Open 右 →

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
肉肉ròumeat; flesh
Sound part声符shēngfú
辟
辟pì臂bei
Same sound today

臂 includes 肉, meaning meat or flesh, and 辟, which gives the character its sound.

Open 臂 →
Appears in

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