截肢 (jié zhī) — to amputate (a limb); amputation | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A medical term meaning to amputate a limb (verb) or the amputation itself (noun). Often used in the context of serious injury, disease, or surgery.

to amputate (a limb)amputation

Examples

。
Yī shēng gěi tā jié le zhī.
The doctor amputated his limb.
截肢。
Tā yīn wèi chē huò bì xū jié zhī.
He had to have an amputation because of a car accident.
截肢。
jié zhī Shǒu shù fēi cháng chéng gōng.
The amputation surgery was very successful.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

截jiécut off

Cutting 截 applied to a limb 肢 gives the sense of amputating.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

雀

雀què截jié

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

截 combines 戈 and 雀, with 雀 supplying the sound.

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

肉肉ròuflesh

Sound part声符shēngfú

支

支zhī肢zhī

Same sound today

肢 pairs 肉 (flesh) with 支, which gives the sound.

Appears in

Injury & Disability Medicine & Treatment

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