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撰写 (zhuàn xiě) — to write (formal); to compose

Definition

撰写 (zhuànxiě) is a formal 'to write / compose' for serious texts (reports, articles, novels) — stronger and more literary than 写作, and far more formal than plain 写. Use it for authored, published work rather than everyday writing.

verb
to write (formal)to compose

Examples

  • 撰写。
    Tā zhuàn xiě le yí fèn xiáng xì de bào gào.
    He wrote a detailed report.
  • 撰写。
    Zhè wèi zuò jiā zhèng zài zhuàn xiě tā de xīn xiǎo shuō.
    This writer is composing his new novel.
  • ，撰写。
    Wèi le bì yè, tā bì xū zhuàn xiě yì piān lùn wén.
    In order to graduate, he must write a thesis.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

撰zhuàncompose
写xiěwrite

Both parts mean to write or compose; together they form a formal verb for writing.

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

撰 pairs 扌 (hand) with 巽, which gives the sound; the hand part relates to the meaning.

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 寫; 写 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
舄
舄xì寫xiě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 寫 combines 宀 with 舄 for the sound; this note is about 寫, not the simplified 写.

Open 写 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Reading & Writing

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