微型 (wēi xíng) — miniature; micro-; tiny

Definition

Used as a prefix for objects, devices, or systems that are very small-scale — like 微型计算机 or 微型机器人. Pair with 小型 (small-sized) and 袖珍 (pocket-sized) for physical things; 微小/渺小 describe tiny amounts or abstract things, not equipment.

adjective

miniaturemicro-tiny

Examples

微型。
Tā dài le yí kuài wēi xíng shǒu biǎo.
He wore a miniature watch.
微型。
Zhè zhǒng wēi xíng jī qì rén kě yǐ jìn rù rén tǐ.
This type of micro-robot can enter the human body.
微型。
Hěn duō wēi xíng shè bèi xū yào jīng mì de líng jiàn.
Many micro-devices require precise components.

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.

微wēismall

型xíngtype

微 conveys smallness, and 型 means type, together suggesting a miniature type.

Characters in this word

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

𡵂攵微

𡵂美měi
攵攴pūhand with tool

The old form showed 𡵂 (a variant of 美, a person with long hair) and 攵 (a hand with a tool) splitting or combing hairs, hence minute; 微 later added 彳 to emphasize action.

Open 微 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

刑土型

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

刑

刑xíng型xíng

Same sound today

型 pairs 土 (earth) with 刑, which supplies the sound; the shape shows an earthen mold, hence form or pattern.

Open 型 →

Appears in