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红线 (hóng xiàn) — red thread of fate (destined love bond); red line: a boundary or limit that cannot be crossed; bottom line

Definition

Two distinct senses: a literal red line marking a boundary or forbidden limit (literal use, maps, regulations), and the legendary 'red thread of fate' tying destined lovers together (metaphorical, from Chinese folklore).

noun
red thread of fate (destined love bond)red line: a boundary or limit that cannot be crossedbottom line
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • ，红线。
    Chuán shuō zhōng, hóng xiàn bǎ yǒu yuán rén lián zài yì qǐ.
    Legend says the red thread connects people who are destined to be together.
  • 红线，。
    Zhè shì guó jiā de hóng xiàn, jué duì bù néng chù pèng.
    This is a national red line that absolutely cannot be crossed.
  • 红线，。
    Dì tú shàng huà le yì tiáo hóng xiàn, biǎo shì jǐng jiè qū yù.
    A red line was drawn on the map to indicate a warning zone.

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.

红hóngred
线xiànline

红 gives the color and 线 gives the line, making a red line or thread.

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 紅; 红 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng紅hóng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 紅 puts 糸 (silk) next to 工, which gives the sound; the simplified 红 is a later shorthand.

Open 红 →

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
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