提神 (tí shén) — to refresh oneself; to perk up; to invigorate

Definition

Verb meaning to refresh or invigorate yourself, usually with a short, often caffeine-based stimulus (coffee, tea, a nap). Often used with 一下 to soften it into a casual, momentary action.

verb
to refresh oneselfto perk upto invigorate

Examples

  • ，提神。
    Gōng zuò lèi le, hē bēi kā fēi tí shén yí xià.
    When tired from work, drink a cup of coffee to refresh yourself.
  • 提神。
    Tā měi tiān zǎo chén hē chá tí shén.
    He drinks tea every morning to refresh himself.
  • ，。
    Wǒ tài kùn le, xū yào tí yí xià shén.
    I'm too sleepy; I need to perk myself up a bit.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

提tílift
神shénspirit

Lifting 提 the spirit 神 gives a refreshing effect.

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shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì提tí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

提 shows 扌 (hand) beside 是, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 提 →

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
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

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