死海 (Sǐ Hǎi) — Dead Sea | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

Dead Sea

死海。
Sǐ Hǎi Wèi yú yǐ sè liè hé yuē dàn zhī jiān.
The Dead Sea is located between Israel and Jordan.
死海。
Měi nián dōu yǒu hěn duō yóu kè qù Sǐ Hǎi lǚ yóu.
Every year many tourists travel to the Dead Sea.
，死海。
Yīn wèi hán yán liàng gāo, zài Sǐ Hǎi lǐ yóu yǒng bú huì chén xià qù.
Because of its high salt content, you won't sink when swimming in the Dead Sea.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

The name pairs 死 (dead) with 海 (sea), describing a sea so lifeless it is called dead.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

尸

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

死 is built from 歹 and 尸: 歹 is the part tied to the meaning, and 尸 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

氵每海

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

每

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

海 pairs 氵 (water) with 每, which gives the sound. The 氵 side shows it is about water.