短波 (duǎn bō) — shortwave | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Refers to the shortwave radio band — a frequency range used for long-distance broadcasting. Typically appears in fixed phrases like 短波广播 or 短波收音机.

noun

shortwave

Examples

短波。
Wǒ měi tiān wǎn shàng tīng duǎn bō guǎng bō.
I listen to shortwave radio every evening.
短波。
Tā shōu jí le hěn duō duǎn bō shōu yīn jī.
He has collected many shortwave radios.
短波。
duǎn bō Xìn hào kě yǐ chuán biàn quán shì jiè.
Shortwave signals can reach all over the world.

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.

The sense of 短 as short joins with 波 as wave to name shortwave radio.

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.

矢豆短

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

豆

豆dòu短duǎn

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

短 is built from 矢 and 豆. 豆 is used for its sound, while 矢 is the component linked to the meaning.

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

氵皮波

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

皮

皮pí波bō

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

The left side 氵 is water, and the right side 皮 gives the sound.

Appears in

Phones & Telecom

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