最大化 (zuì dà huà) — to maximize

Definition

verb
to maximize

Examples

  • 最大化。
    Tā men xiǎng yào zuì dà huà lì yòng yǒu xiàn de zī yuán.
    They want to maximize the use of limited resources.
  • 最大化。
    Zhè ge ruǎn jiàn kě yǐ bāng zhù nǐ zuì dà huà xiào lǜ.
    This software can help you maximize efficiency.
  • 最大化。
    Gōng sī jué dìng zuì dà huà lì rùn.
    The company decided to maximize profits.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

最大biggest
偏正Modifier + head

最大 (biggest) combines with 化 to express making something reach the greatest extent.

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
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
取
取qǔ最zuì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape pairs 取, which gives the sound, with a roof-like top from 宀; marks above were later added to separate the “most” meaning.

Open 最 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 大 is a picture of a person standing and facing forward, not of someone stretching their arms.

Open 大 →

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

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →

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