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执业 (zhí yè) — to practice (a profession, especially as a licensed professional)

Definition

A formal verb meaning to practice a licensed profession (law, medicine, accounting). Often used as an attributive before the job title, e.g. 执业律师.

verb
to practice (a profession, especially as a licensed professional)

Examples

  • 执业。
    Tā shì yì míng zhí yè lǜ shī.
    He is a practicing lawyer.
  • 。
    Zhè wèi yī shēng yǐ jīng zhí le èr shí nián de yè.
    This doctor has been practicing for twenty years.
  • 执业。
    zhí yè Kuài jì shī xū yào měi nián cān jiā péi xùn.
    Practicing accountants need to attend training every year.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

执zhíhold
业yèprofession

“执” means to hold or carry out, and “业” means profession or business, so the action is carrying on a licensed profession.

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 執; 执 is its simplified writing.

  • 㚔㚔㚔criminal / handcuffs
  • 丮丮jǐhand

The traditional form 執 shows 㚔, a handcuffed criminal, with 丮, a hand, giving the idea of arrest. The simplified 执 is a later shorthand, so its current parts are not the original pieces.

Open 执 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 業; 业 is its simplified writing.

  • 丵丵zhuóchisel
  • 大大dàperson; big

The traditional 業 is explained as a picture of a beam from which bells and chimes hang, or as a person lifting that beam. The simplified 业 is a shorthand, not the original shape.

Open 业 →
Appears in
Professions & Jobs

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