沼 (zhǎo) — (natural) pond; marsh; swamp
Definition
沼 is a bound morpheme — it never stands alone and always combines with another character (e.g. 沼泽 'marsh/swamp', 沼气 'marsh gas'). The gloss 'pond' applies only in these compounds, not to 沼 by itself.
bound form
(natural) pondmarshswamp
Easily confused
- 诏zhàolook-alikeimperial edict, imperial decree (bound form, used in historical/literary contexts)
- 找zhǎosound-aliketo look for, to seek
- 招zhāolook-aliketo recruit, to hire
- 爪zhǎosound-alikeclaw, talon
- 昭zhāolook-alikeclear, obvious, manifest
- 绍shàolook-alike(bound form) used in 介绍 to mean 'introduce' (lit. 'connect and bring in')
Examples
- 。Zhè piàn zhǎo zé lǐ yǒu hěn xī yǒu de niǎo lèi.This marsh has some very rare bird species.
- 。zhǎo Qì kě yǐ yòng zuò qīng jié néng yuán.Marsh gas can be used as a clean energy source.
- 。zhǎo Zé dì qū de shēng tài fēi cháng mǐn gǎn.The ecosystem in the swamp area is very sensitive.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
沼 pairs 氵 (water) with 召, which gives the sound. The water part fits the meaning of a pond.
Appears in
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