指引 (zhǐ yǐn) — to guide, to direct (point the way) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

指引 focuses on showing the way or pointing a person toward a path or goal. Use it over 指导 when the emphasis is on leading someone step by step rather than teaching or coaching.

verb

to guideto direct (point the way)

Examples

。
Tā zhǐ yǐn wǒ dào le chē zhàn.
He guided me to the station.
指引。
Lǎo shī zhǐ yǐn wǒ men zǒu xiàng zhèng què de dào lù.
The teacher guided us toward the right path.
指引。
Zhè běn shū zhǐ yǐn wǒ zhǎo dào le rén shēng de fāng xiàng.
This book guided me to find the direction of life.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

指 points and 引 leads, giving guidance or showing the way.

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.

扌旨指

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒu

Sound part声符shēngfú

旨

旨zhǐ指zhǐ

Same sound today

The left part 扌 is the hand form 手. The right part 旨 gives the sound.

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

弓弓gōngbow
丿丿piěindicatory stroke

引 is made from 弓, a bow, and 丿, a short slant stroke added at the place where the string is pulled, marking the action of drawing or pulling.

Appears in

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