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基准 (jī zhǔn) — benchmark; standard; criterion (a reference used for measurement or comparison); (surveying) datum

Definition

基准 (jīzhǔn) is the technical/engineering term for a reference datum or benchmark — often a fixed point or value used for measurement, more specialized than the general-purpose 标准. In surveying it specifically means the reference plane or line.

noun
benchmarkstandardcriterion (a reference used for measurement or comparison)(surveying) datum

Examples

  • 基准。
    Zhè cì kǎo shì yǐ qù nián de chéng jì wèi jī zhǔn.
    This exam uses last year's results as a benchmark.
  • 基准。
    Shī gōng qián bì xū què dìng dì miàn de jī zhǔn gāo dù.
    The datum height of the ground must be determined before construction.
  • 基准。
    Wǒ men bù néng yòng gè rén jīng yàn zuò wéi pàn duàn de jī zhǔn.
    We cannot use personal experience as a criterion for judgment.

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.

基jībasis
准zhǔnstandard

“基” (basis) specifies the reference “准” (standard), giving a benchmark.

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
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
其
其qí基jī
Same sound today

The lower 土 means earth, and the upper 其 gives the sound; together they form the idea of a foundation of earth.

Open 基 →

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 準; 准 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
隼
隼sǔn準zhǔn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 準, not 准, pairs 水 (water) with 隼 as a sound part; the evidence describes it as 'water level'.

Open 准 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.