抢答 (qiǎng dá) — to race to be the first to answer (a question in a competition or quiz)

Definition

A compound verb meaning to rush or fight to be the first to answer, usually in a quiz or game show. Implies competing against others to hit the buzzer or speak up first.

verb
to race to be the first to answer (a question in a competition or quiz)

Examples

  • 抢答。
    Tā zài bǐ sài zhōng dì yī gè qiǎng dá.
    He was the first to answer in the competition.
  • ，抢答。
    Lǎo shī de wèn tí hái méi shuō wán, tā jiù qiǎng dá le.
    Before the teacher even finished asking the question, he answered.
  • 抢答。
    Cān sài zhě yí àn líng jiù qiǎng dá.
    As soon as the contestant presses the buzzer, they answer.

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.

抢qiǎnggrab first
答dáanswer

The rushing 抢 (grab first) describes how one 答 (answers), as in racing to answer.

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 搶; 抢 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
倉
倉cāng搶qiǎng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 搶 pairs 扌 (hand) with 倉, which gives the sound; the simplified 抢 is a shorthand, so its right side is not the historical component.

Open 抢 →

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 →

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