气管 (qì guǎn) — trachea, windpipe (medical); air duct, gas pipe… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

气管 (qìguǎn) has two distinct senses: anatomically, the trachea/windpipe; in mechanics/construction, an air duct or gas pipe. The medical and engineering meanings are never confused in context.

noun

tracheawindpipe (medical)air ductgas pipe (mechanical)

Measure word · 根

Examples

气管。
Yī shēng shuō tā qì guǎn fā yán le.
The doctor said his trachea is inflamed.
气管。
Zhè dòng lóu de qì guǎn xì tǒng xū yào jīng cháng wéi xiū.
The air duct system of this building needs regular maintenance.
气管，。
Qì chē de qì guǎn lòu qì le, dé gǎn jǐn xiū.
The car's gas pipe is leaking; it needs to be fixed quickly.

Origin

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.

「气」as air, 「管」as tube: an air-carrying tube, such as the windpipe or a duct.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

气米氣

Meaning part形符xíngfú

米米mǐrice

Sound part声符shēngfú

气

气qì氣qì

Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

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

竹官管

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

官

官guān管guǎn

Same sound today

管 has 竹 (bamboo) on top to show it relates to bamboo, and 官 gives its sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Organs & Anatomy

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