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点缀 (diǎn zhuì) — to decorate, to adorn (with small, tasteful additions); to be studded or dotted with (small elements, often in a descriptive state)

Definition

点缀 means to scatter small, tasteful touches that enhance — not full decoration. Lighter and more subtle than 装饰, and unlike 装扮 it does not focus on dressing up people.

verb
to decorateto adorn (with small, tasteful additions)to be studded or dotted with (small elements, often in a descriptive state)

Examples

  • 点缀。
    Tā yòng xiǎo huā diǎn zhuì le zhuō zi.
    She decorated the table with small flowers.
  • 点缀。
    Cǎo dì shàng diǎn zhuì zhe jǐ duǒ yě huā.
    The grass is dotted with a few wildflowers.
  • 点缀，。
    Zhè ge zhí wèi zhǐ shì diǎn zhuì, méi yǒu shí quán.
    This position is just for show, with no real power.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

点diǎndot
缀zhuìattach

点 and 缀 both describe dotting or attaching touches, so together they mean to decorate or stud.

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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 綴; 缀 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
叕
叕zhuó綴zhuì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 缀, the shape is explained by the traditional form 綴, which combines 糸 (silk) with 叕 as a sound part.

Open 缀 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Art & Fine Arts

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