基干 (jī gān) — backbone; hard core; core element or mainstay (… | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal, written term for the 'backbone' or core element that holds an organization or system together — used for people, teams, or institutions, not abstract concepts.

noun

backbonehard corecore element or mainstay (of a group, organization, or system)

Easily confused

基于jī yúlook-alikebased on, on the basis of

Examples

基干。
Tā shì gōng sī de jī gān.
He is the backbone of the company.
基干。
Kē jì tuán duì shì chuàng xīn xiàng mù de jī gān.
The tech team is the backbone of the innovation project.
基干。
Zhè xiē lǎo yuán gōng shì qǐ yè de jī gān.
These veteran employees are the core of the enterprise.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

基 and 干 refer to a base and trunk, together meaning a core.

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.

其土基

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.

The simplified 干 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (饼干, 干杯) it is 乾; in others (干, 干活儿) (干扰) it is 幹 or 干.

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 乾; 干 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

倝

倝gàn乾gān

Same sound today

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