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粒子 (lì zi) — particle (physics)

Definition

A physics/chemistry term for a 'particle' — a tiny unit of matter such as an atom, molecule, or subatomic piece. Not used in the general everyday sense of 颗粒 (a grain or small visible piece).

noun
particle (physics)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 粒子。
    Wù lǐ xué jiā yán jiū wēi guān lì zi de xíng wéi.
    Physicists study the behavior of microscopic particles.
  • 粒子。
    Zhè xiē lì zi zài jiā sù qì zhōng bèi jiā sù dào jiē jìn guāng sù.
    These particles are accelerated to near light speed in the accelerator.
  • 粒子。
    Kōng qì zhōng de lì zi wū rǎn huì yǐng xiǎng jiàn kāng.
    Particle pollution in the air can affect health.

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.

粒lìgrain
子zǐ

粒 means grain, and 子 gives the sense of a tiny thing.

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
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
立
立lì粒lì
Same sound today

粒 pairs 米 (rice) with 立, which gives its pronunciation.

Open 粒 →

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
Physics & Chemistry

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