环环相扣 (huán huán xiāng kòu) — linked together one after another; interconnected; each link is connected to the next

Definition

A chengyu describing things (plots, evidence, plans) tightly linked in a chain, where each link depends on the next. The image is of metal rings locked together — each piece holds the next in place.

idiom
linked together one after anotherinterconnectedeach link is connected to the next

Examples

  • 环环相扣，。
    Zhěng gè jì huà shè jì dé huán huán xiāng kòu, měi gè bù zhòu dōu hěn zhòng yào.
    The entire plan was designed with each link connected; every step is very important.
  • 环环相扣，。
    Zhè xiē zhèng jù huán huán xiāng kòu, xíng chéng le wán zhěng de zhèng jù liàn.
    These pieces of evidence are interconnected, forming a complete chain of evidence.
  • 环环相扣，。
    Xiǎo shuō qíng jié huán huán xiāng kòu, dú qǐ lái ràng rén yù bà bù néng.
    The novel's plot is tightly linked, making it irresistible to read.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
主谓zhǔwèiSubject + predicate

A small sentence frozen into a word: something, and what it does or is.

环环rings
环huánring环huánring
重叠Reduplication
相扣interlock
相xiāngmutual扣kòulink
偏正Modifier + head

The repeated 环 suggests each ring, while 相扣 says the links hold one another.

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 環; 环 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
睘
睘qióng環huán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 環 pairs 玉 (jade) with a sound part; the simplified 环 is a shorthand and its right side is not the historical sound part.

Open 环 →

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 環; 环 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
睘
睘qióng環huán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 環 pairs 玉 (jade) with a sound part; the simplified 环 is a shorthand and its right side is not the historical sound part.

Open 环 →

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

In 相, 目 is an eye and 木 is a tree, showing an eye looking at a tree; this originally meant “to observe.”

Open 相 →

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
手手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
口
口kǒu扣kòu
Same sound today

扣 puts 手 (hand) beside 口 (mouth); 口 gives the sound, while 手 shows it is about a hand action.

Open 扣 →

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