TongTong
Sign in

管线 (guǎn xiàn) — pipes and cables (a general term for utility lines, such as water, gas, electricity, telecommunications)

Definition

noun
pipes and cables (a general term for utility lines, such as water, gas, electricity, telecommunications)
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • 管线。
    Chéng shì de dì xià guǎn xiàn fēi cháng fù zá.
    The underground utility lines in the city are very complex.
  • ，管线。
    Shī gōng shí yào xiǎo xīn, bú yào pò huài guǎn xiàn.
    Be careful during construction not to damage the pipes and cables.
  • 管线。
    Zhèng fǔ zhèng zài gēng xīn lǎo jiù de guǎn xiàn xì tǒng.
    The government is upgrading the old utility line system.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

管guǎnpipe
线xiànline

管 (pipe) and 线 (line) together cover utility lines.

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
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
官
官guān管guǎn
Same sound today

管 has 竹 (bamboo) on top to show it relates to bamboo, and 官 gives its sound.

Open 管 →

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 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →
Appears in
Technology & Engineering

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.