测绘 (cè huì) — to survey (land) and produce maps

Definition

测绘 (cèhuì) is the technical verb 'to survey and map' — typically land, terrain, or geographic areas, as a professional surveying-and-mapping activity (无人机测绘, 城市规划).

verb
to survey (land) and produce maps

Examples

  • 测绘。
    Tā men zhèng zài yòng wú rén jī cè huì zhè piàn qū yù.
    They are surveying this area using drones.
  • 测绘。
    cè huì Gōng zuò xū yào jīng mì de yí qì hé zhuān yè de tuán duì.
    Surveying and mapping work requires precise instruments and a professional team.
  • 测绘。
    Zhè cì cè huì de jié guǒ jiāng yòng yú chéng shì guī huà.
    The results of this survey will be used for urban planning.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

测cèsurvey; measure
绘huìdraw; map

测 means survey or measure, and 绘 means draw or map; the two actions combine as survey and map.

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 測; 测 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
則
則zé測cè
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 測 combines 氵 (water) with 則 for the sound; it is explained as measuring the depth of water. The simplified 测 is a later shorthand.

Open 测 →

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 繪; 绘 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
會
會huì繪
Same sound today

The traditional form 繪 pairs 糸 (silk) with 會, which carries the sound; the simplified 绘 is a later shorthand.

Open 绘 →

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