对称性 (duì chèn xìng) — symmetry (as a property or concept)

Definition

Refers to the property of symmetry — a balanced arrangement where one side mirrors the other. Used in art, architecture, and especially in science (physics, mathematics).

noun
symmetry (as a property or concept)

Examples

  • 对称性。
    Zhè ge jiàn zhù de shè jì fēi cháng zhù zhòng duì chèn xìng.
    The design of this building pays great attention to symmetry.
  • ，对称性。
    Zài wù lǐ xué zhōng, duì chèn xìng shì yí gè zhòng yào de gài niàn.
    In physics, symmetry is an important concept.
  • 对称性。
    Rén liǎn tōng cháng jù yǒu zuǒ yòu duì chèn xìng.
    Human faces usually have left-right symmetry.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

对称symmetry
对duìcorrespond称chēngmatch
联合Side by side
性xìngquality

对称 (matching on both sides) plus 性 (quality) forms symmetry.

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 對; 对 is its simplified writing.

For the traditional form 對, the shape comes from an early drawing of 丵 (a digging tool), 土 (earth), and 又 (a hand); it may have meant developing land.

Open 对 →

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 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hérice
Sound part声符shēngfú
爯
爯chēng稱chēng
Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Open 称 →

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →

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