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简化 (jiǎn huà) — to simplify

Definition

简化 (jiǎnhuà) is the general, neutral 'simplify' — cut complexity, shorten, make easier. 精简 (jīngjiǎn) is more specific: trim to essentials, often for documents, orgs, or staff.

verb
to simplify

Examples

  • 简化。
    Zhè ge biǎo gé xū yào jiǎn huà yí xià.
    This form needs to be simplified.
  • 简化，。
    Chéng xù yuè jiǎn huà, cuò wù jiù yuè shǎo.
    The simpler the procedure, the fewer mistakes.
  • 简化。
    Wǒ men zhèng zài jiǎn huà gōng sī de guǎn lǐ jié gòu.
    We are simplifying the company's management structure.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

简jiǎnsimple
化huàmake or become

The idea of 简, 'simple', is joined with 化, 'make or become', to mean make simple.

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 簡; 简 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhú
Sound part声符shēngfú
間
閒xián簡jiǎn
Same sound today

In the traditional form 簡, 竹 (bamboo) is paired with 間 (also written 閒) as a sound part; the simplified 简 is a later shorthand.

Open 简 →

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

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract ConceptsChange & Process

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