来讲 (lái jiǎng) — when it comes to, as for, considering

Definition

来讲 marks a topic-shift to a new subject — 'when it comes to / as for'. It takes the perspective: introduce a topic, then comment on it. Common in spoken and written framing clauses.

verb
when it comes toas forconsidering

Examples

  • 来讲，。
    lái jiǎng Zhè ge wèn tí, wǒ men xū yào rèn zhēn tǎo lùn.
    As for this issue, we need to discuss it seriously.
  • 来讲，。
    lái jiǎng Xué xí zhōng wén, zuì zhòng yào de shì jiān chí.
    When it comes to learning Chinese, the most important thing is persistence.
  • 来讲，。
    lái jiǎng Gè rén fā zhǎn, měi gè rén dōu yǒu bù tóng de kàn fǎ.
    As for personal development, everyone has different views.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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 講; 讲 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
冓
冓gòu講jiǎng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 講 puts 言, say, beside 冓, which gave it its sound; the simplified 讲 is a later abbreviation.

Open 讲 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.