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因素 (yīn sù) — factor; element

Definition

因素 is a general 'factor' that influences a result or situation, often paired with 影响/考虑. Unlike 条件 (a condition or prerequisite that must be met), 因素 is one of many contributing influences.

noun
factorelement
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • ，因素。
    Zài zuò jué dìng shí, yào kǎo lǜ hěn duō yīn sù.
    When making a decision, you need to consider many factors.
  • 因素，。
    Chéng gōng de yīn sù hěn duō, dàn jiān chí shì zuì zhòng yào de.
    There are many factors for success, but persistence is the most important.
  • 因素。
    Tiān qì shì yǐng xiǎng bǐ sài de yí gè yīn sù.
    Weather is a factor that affects the game.

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.

因yīncause
素sùelement

因 gives cause, 素 gives element, so the whole means a causal element or factor.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 囗囗wéisheet
  • 大大dàperson

Originally, 因 showed 大 (a person) on 囗 (a sheet or mattress).

Open 因 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 素 came from a picture of hands braiding thread.

Open 素 →
Appears in
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