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牵线 (qiān xiàn) — to pull strings/wires (literally, e.g., puppetry or fishing); to act as a go-between (matchmaking or arranging deals); to pull strings (influence)

Definition

Verb with two senses: literally 'pull strings/wires' (e.g., a puppet), and figuratively 'act as a go-between' to introduce people or arrange a match/deal.

verb
to pull strings/wires (literally, e.g., puppetry or fishing)to act as a go-between (matchmaking or arranging deals)to pull strings (influence)

Examples

  • 牵线，。
    Tā tí xiàn mù ǒu shí shú liàn de qiān xiàn, guān zhòng dōu hěn jīng yà.
    When he manipulated the marionette, he skillfully pulled the strings, and the audience was amazed.
  • ，。
    Zhè cì hé zuò shì tā qiān de xiàn, wǒ men cái néng hé nà jiā gōng sī qiān yuē.
    This cooperation was thanks to his introduction; that's why we could sign a contract with that company.
  • 牵线，。
    Tā men xī wàng tōng guò yí gè gòng tóng de shú rén qiān xiàn, cù chéng zhè cì lián yīn.
    They hope to arrange this marriage through a mutual acquaintance who will act as a go-between.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

牵qiānpull
线xiànstring

牵 pull and 线 string combine to mean pulling strings.

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 牽; 牵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
牛牛niúcow, ox
Sound part声符shēngfú
玄
玄xuán牽qiān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 牽 is built from 玄 and 牛, an ox, giving the picture of leading an ox by hand. The simplified 牵 is a later shorthand.

Open 牵 →

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 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →
Appears in
Business & CommerceRomance & Marriage

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