应答器 (yìng dá qì) — transponder

Definition

A transponder is an electronic device that automatically receives a signal and sends back a reply — used in aviation (aircraft identification) and security (key fobs, toll tags).

noun
transponder
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 应答器。
    Fēi jī shàng ān zhuāng le yìng dá qì.
    A transponder is installed on the aircraft.
  • 应答器。
    Zhè ge yìng dá qì kě yǐ fā sòng shí bié xìn hào.
    This transponder can send identification signals.
  • 应答器。
    yìng dá qì Zài háng kōng guǎn zhì zhōng hěn zhòng yào.
    Transponders are very important in air traffic control.

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.

应答respond
应yìngrespond答dáanswer
联合Side by side
器qìdevice

应答 describes responding, and 器 indicates a device for that action.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 應; 应 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
䧹
䧹䧹應yìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 應 pairs 心 (heart) with 䧹 as a sound part; the simplified 应 is a later shorthand and its parts are not the original components.

Open 应 →

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
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
合
合hé答dá
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

答 pairs 竹 (bamboo) with 合 as the sound part; the bamboo top replaced an older grass part by mistake.

Open 答 →

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

The origin of 器 is uncertain; one traditional account reads the whole shape as a scene of guarding over four vessels.

Open 器 →

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