线索 (xiàn suǒ) — clue; lead (in an investigation); thread (of a story or narrative)

Definition

线索 is the abstract 'thread' connecting events — used for storylines and investigation leads. Unlike 线 (a physical string/wire) or 丝 (raw silk), 线索 is figurative.

noun
cluelead (in an investigation)thread (of a story or narrative)
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • 线索。
    Jǐng chá zhǎo dào le yì tiáo zhòng yào xiàn suǒ.
    The police found an important clue.
  • 线索。
    Zhè piān xiǎo shuō de xiàn suǒ hěn fù zá.
    The thread of this novel is very complex.
  • 线索，。
    Rú guǒ nǐ yǒu xīn de xiàn suǒ, qǐng gào sù wǒ men.
    If you have new clues, please tell us.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

线xiànthread
索suǒcord

线 (thread) and 索 (cord) combine to suggest a clue or narrative 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 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 →

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

  • 糸糸mìthread
  • 𣎳𣎳𣎳strip fibres off a hemp stalk

索 combines 糸 (thread) and 𣎳 (stripping fibres from a hemp stalk), showing threads or rope being pulled out from a fabric.

Open 索 →
Appears in
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