极化 (jí huà) — (verb) to polarize; (noun) polarization

Definition

A formal, written term for 'polarization' — most often used in social, political, or media contexts (e.g. 社会极化) and also in physics (e.g. light polarization).

verb
to polarize
noun
polarization

Examples

  • 极化。
    Shè huì yú lùn zhèng zài rì yì jí huà.
    Public opinion is increasingly polarizing.
  • 极化。
    Zhè zhǒng zhèng cè dǎo zhì le shè huì de yán zhòng jí huà.
    This policy led to severe polarization in society.
  • 极化。
    Wù lǐ kè shàng wǒ men xué xí le guāng de jí huà xiàn xiàng.
    In physics class we studied the phenomenon of light polarization.

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.

极jípole
化huàturn into

The 极 'pole' idea is turned into a process by 化.

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mùtree, wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí极jí
Same sound today

极 pairs 木 (tree, wood) with 及, which provides the sound.

Open 极 →

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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