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
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
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.