略带 (lüè dài) — to have a trace/hint of (a quality); to mention briefly, to touch on

Definition

略带 is a written verb meaning 'to carry a slight hint of' (a quality) or 'to mention in passing'. The first sense fits naturally into the subject position — e.g. 她的脸上略带笑容 — describing an impression rather than a concrete action.

verb
to have a trace/hint of (a quality)to mention brieflyto touch on

Examples

  • 略带。
    Tā de liǎn shàng lüè dài yì sī xiào róng.
    There was a hint of a smile on her face.
  • 略带。
    Qiū tiān de fēng lüè dài hán yì.
    The autumn wind carries a slight chill.
  • 略带。
    Tā zài huì yì zhōng lüè dài le zhè ge wèn tí.
    He briefly touched on this issue during the meeting.

Origin

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.

略lüèslightly
带dàicarry

The word combines 略 'slightly' with 带 'carry', meaning to carry a small trace of something.

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
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè略lüè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

略 combines 田 (field) with 各 for sound; the described idea is walking around a field to outline it.

Open 略 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 帶; 带 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 帶 was drawn as a woven belt; the simplified 带 is a later shorthand.

Open 带 →

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