池塘 (chí táng) — pond, pool (body of water) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

池塘 (chítáng) is a natural or landscaped pond — a small, still body of water, often in gardens or countryside. Compare with 池, which is more often a constructed pool or tank.

noun

pondpool (body of water)

Measure word · 个

Examples

池塘。
Zhè ge chí táng de shuǐ hěn qīng.
The water in this pond is very clear.
池塘。
Xià tiān wǒ men xǐ huan zài chí táng biān sàn bù.
In summer we like to take a walk by the pond.
池塘。
chí táng Páng biān zhǒng le hěn duō huā.
Many flowers are planted beside the pond.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

“池” and “塘” both denote a small body of water, giving the sense of a pond.

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.

氵也池

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐ

Sound part声符shēngfú

也

也yě池chí

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

池 pairs 氵 (water) with 也, which provides the sound.

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

土唐塘

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔdirt

Sound part声符shēngfú

唐

唐táng塘táng

Same sound today

塘 combines 土, meaning dirt, with 唐, which gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Geography & Landforms

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