接过 (jiē guō) — to receive (something handed over); to take over (a position or task)

Definition

接过 is a verb-object (离合词) meaning to take or receive something handed to you; the object usually slots between 接 and 过 (接过书 / 接不过这么重的箱子). It also extends to taking over a role or task (接过班长的位置).

verb
to receive (something handed over)to take over (a position or task)

Examples

  • 接过。
    Tā jiē guō wǒ dì guò qù de shū.
    He took the book I handed over to him.
  • ，。
    Zhè ge xiāng zi tài zhòng le, tā jiē bú guò.
    This box is too heavy; he can't receive it.
  • 接过。
    Tā jiē guō le bān zhǎng de wèi zhì.
    He took over the squad leader position.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

接jiēreceive
过guòpass over

接 gives receive and 过 adds passing over, together meaning to receive something handed over.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
妾
妾qiè接jiē
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 扌 shows a hand, matching the sense of receiving something in the hand, while 妾 gives the character its sound.

Open 接 →

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 過; 过 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
咼
咼wāi過guò
Same sound today

The traditional form 過 pairs 辵 (walk) with 咼 as a sound component; the simplified 过 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 过 →

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