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吸热 (xī rè) — to absorb heat; (thermodynamics) endothermic

Definition

Thermodynamics term: a process (not an object) that absorbs heat from its surroundings, lowering its own or the local temperature. The technical English equivalent is 'endothermic.'

verb
to absorb heat(thermodynamics) endothermic

Examples

  • 吸热，。
    Zhè ge cái liào néng xī rè, suǒ yǐ xià tiān bú huì tài rè.
    This material absorbs heat, so it won't get too hot in summer.
  • 。
    Shuǐ zài zhēng fā shí huì xī shōu dà liàng de rè.
    Water absorbs a lot of heat during evaporation.
  • ，。
    Zhè ge shí yàn xī le hěn duō rè, wēn dù xià jiàng hěn kuài.
    This experiment absorbed a lot of heat, and the temperature dropped quickly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

吸xīabsorb
热rèheat

吸 means absorb and 热 means heat, so heat is taken in.

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
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí吸xī
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

吸 pairs 口 (mouth) with 及, which gives the sound and relates to grabbing, so the shape suggests grabbing through the mouth.

Open 吸 →

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 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì熱rè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

Open 热 →
Appears in
Physics & Chemistry

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