特快 (tè kuài) — express (train, mail, etc.)

Definition

noun

express (train, mail, etc.)

特快。
Wǒ zuò tè kuài qù běi jīng.
I take the express to Beijing.
特快。
Zhè tàng tè kuài shì zhí dá de.
This express is direct.
特快。
tè kuài Yóu jiàn liǎng tiān jiù dào le.
The express mail arrived in two days.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

特tèespecially

特 “especially” and 快 “fast” mean a service that is unusually quick.

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.

牛寺特

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

寺

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape combines 牛 (ox) with 寺, which gives the pronunciation; it originally meant a large bull.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

忄夬快

Meaning part形符xíngfú

忄Written in full as心xīn

Sound part声符shēngfú

夬

夬guài快kuài

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

快 pairs the left part 忄 (full form 心, the heart) with the right part 夬, which gives the sound.

Appears in