演算 (yǎn suàn) — (verb) to perform mathematical calculations; (noun) mathematical calculation (the process or result of calculating)

Definition

verb
to perform mathematical calculations
noun
mathematical calculation (the process or result of calculating)

Examples

  • 演算。
    Zhè ge gōng shì xū yào zǐ xì yǎn suàn.
    This formula requires careful calculation.
  • 演算，。
    Jīng guò duō cì yǎn suàn, zhōng yú dé chū le zhèng què jié guǒ.
    After multiple calculations, the correct result was finally obtained.
  • 演算。
    Tā de yǎn suàn guò chéng hěn qīng xī.
    His calculation process is very clear.

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.

演yǎnwork out
算suàncalculate

演 and 算 both denote working things out, so together they mean carrying out calculations.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
寅
寅yín演yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

演 pairs 氵 (water) with 寅, which gives the sound yín.

Open 演 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The current form 算 has 竹 on top, 目 in the middle, and 廾 below; the 目 part may have originally drawn counting rods, often made of bamboo.

Open 算 →

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