把守 (bǎ shǒu) — to guard, to defend | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal/written verb for actively guarding a specific position or entry point (gate, bridge, warehouse). Stronger and more official than the more general 看守, which covers a wider range of 'guarding/watching' roles.

verb

to guardto defend

Examples

把守。
Shì bīng men zhèng zài bǎ shǒu dà mén.
The soldiers are guarding the main gate.
把守。
Zhè zuò qiáo yóu bǎo ān bǎ shǒu.
This bridge is guarded by security guards.
把守。
Tā men lún liú bǎ shǒu cāng kù.
They take turns guarding the warehouse.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

把 (hold) and 守 (guard) together mean keep a place under guard.

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.

扌巴把

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

巴

巴bā把bǎ

Same sound today

把 combines 扌, a hand, with 巴 for its sound.

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

宀寸守

宀宀miánroof; building
寸寸cùnhand

守 pairs 宀, a roof or building, with 寸, a hand, to show a hand guarding a place.

Appears in

Military & Defense

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