实质 (shí zhì) — essence; substance; the essential part

Definition

实质 is the 'essence' or core substance, focusing on what really matters (as in 实质上 'in substance'). 区别于本质 (intrinsic nature/quality) and 内容 (contents/details).

noun

essencesubstancethe essential part

Examples

，实质。
Wǒ men bù néng zhī kàn biǎo miàn, yào liǎo jiě wèn tí de shí zhì.
We can't just look at the surface; we need to understand the essence of the problem.
，实质。
Tǎo lùn le bàn tiān, dàn shí zhì shàng méi yǒu jìn zhǎn.
We discussed for a long time, but there was no progress in substance.
，实质。
Zhè xiàng gǎi gé de xíng shì suī rán biàn le, shí zhì bìng méi yǒu gǎi biàn.
Although the form of this reform has changed, its essence hasn't.

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.

实shíreal

质zhìsubstance

The sense of 实 as real and 质 as substance combine to give the essential part.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

宀宀miánroof
周周zhōucarved jade
貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 質; 质 is its simplified writing.

斦貝質