线呢 (xiàn nà) — cotton suitings (a type of fabric used for suits)

Definition

线呢 (xiàn nà) is a noun for a specific suiting fabric, traditionally cotton or wool, used to make suits and tailored clothes. It refers to the cloth itself, not a pattern or color.

noun
cotton suitings (a type of fabric used for suits)
Measure word · 块

Examples

  • 线呢。
    Zhè kuài xiàn nà hěn shì hé zuò xī zhuāng.
    This piece of cotton suiting is very suitable for making a suit.
  • 线呢。
    Cái feng tuī jiàn yòng xiàn nà lái zuò zhè tào yī fu.
    The tailor recommends using cotton suiting to make this outfit.
  • 线呢，。
    Zhè zhǒng xiàn nà de zhì dì hěn róu ruǎn, shì hé chūn qiū chuān.
    This kind of cotton suiting has a soft texture, suitable for spring and autumn wear.

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.

线xiànthread
呢nefabric

线 gives the thread aspect, and 呢 names the woven fabric.

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 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 →

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
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
尼
尼ní呢ní
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

呢 combines 口 (mouth) with 尼 as its sound part.

Open 呢 →

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