指针 (zhǐ zhēn) — pointer, needle (on a gauge, clock, or compass)… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Two senses: the physical 'needle/pointer' on a clock, gauge, or compass, AND a figurative 'guiding principle' for a policy or direction. The measure word 根 is used for the physical needle.

noun

pointerneedle (on a gauge, clock, or compass)guiding principleguide (a policy, strategy, or document that directs action)

Measure word · 根

Examples

指针。
Zhōng biǎo de zhǐ zhēn zài màn màn yí dòng.
The clock's hand is moving slowly.
指针。
Zhè ge zhèng cè shì wǒ guó jīng jì fā zhǎn de zhǐ zhēn.
This policy is the guiding principle of our country's economic development.
指针。
Zhè fèn bào gào shì gōng sī wèi lái fā zhǎn de zhǐ zhēn.
This report is a guide for the company's future development.

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.

指 (point) and 针 (needle) make a needle that points.

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.

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 針; 针 is its simplified writing.

釒十針

Meaning part形符xíngfú

釒Written in full as金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

十

十shí針zhēn

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

The traditional form 針 puts 釒, the metal side, beside 十, which gives the sound; 针 is a simplified shorthand.

Appears in

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