松紧 (sōng jǐn) — degree of tightness; elasticity

Definition

A two-character noun literally combining 松 ('loose') and 紧 ('tight'), used for how tight something is or how much it can stretch. Common in clothing, fabric, and mechanical fittings.

noun
degree of tightnesselasticity

Examples

  • 松紧。
    Zhè tiáo kù zi de sōng jǐn hěn hé shì.
    The tightness of these pants is just right.
  • 松紧，。
    Zhè zhǒng miàn liào de sōng jǐn hěn hǎo, chuān zhuó fēi cháng shū fu.
    This fabric has great elasticity and is very comfortable to wear.
  • 松紧，。
    Qǐng jiǎn chá yí xià luó sī de sōng jǐn, bú yào tài jǐn.
    Please check the tightness of the screw — don't make it too tight.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

松sōngloose
紧jǐntight

松 and 紧 are opposite states, together the degree of tightness or elasticity.

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
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
公
公gōng松sōng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

松 uses 木 (wood) to show it is a tree, and 公 to give the sound.

Open 松 →

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 緊; 紧 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
臤
臤qiān緊jǐn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緊 pairs 糸 (thread) with 臤 as a sound part; the simplified 紧 is a later shorthand.

Open 紧 →

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