基座 (jī zuò) — base; foundation (of a structure, statue, or device)

Definition

noun
basefoundation (of a structure, statue, or device)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 基座。
    Zhè zuò diāo xiàng de jī zuò shì yòng dà lǐ shí zuò de.
    The base of this statue is made of marble.
  • 基座。
    Jī qì xū yào ān zhuāng zài láo gù de jī zuò shàng.
    The machine needs to be installed on a solid base.
  • ，基座。
    Dì zhèn shí, jiàn zhù wù de jī zuò fā shēng le qīng wēi wèi yí.
    During the earthquake, the building's foundation shifted slightly.

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jībase
座zuòstand

'基' (base) and '座' (stand) both point to a bottom support, giving base or pedestal.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
广广guǎnghouse on cliff
Sound part声符shēngfú
坐
坐zuò座zuò
Same sound today

座 pairs 广, a house on a cliff, with 坐 to give the sound.

Open 座 →

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