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经典 (jīng diǎn) — (noun) the classics; classic works of literature, art, or religion; (adjective) classic; typical; representing the highest standard

Definition

经典 works as both a noun ('a classic work') and an adjective ('classic, exemplary'). Compared with 古典 ('classical' — a style/era, not a single work), 经典 highlights enduring quality and authority. 神圣 is reserved for religious or inviolable contexts.

noun
the classicsclassic works of literatureartor religion
adjective
classictypicalrepresenting the highest standard
Measure word · 部

Examples

  • 经典。
    Zhè běn shū shì wén xué jīng diǎn.
    This book is a literary classic.
  • 经典，。
    Zhè ge lì zi hěn jīng diǎn, jīng cháng bèi yǐn yòng.
    This example is classic and often cited.
  • 经典？
    Nǐ kàn guò nà bù jīng diǎn diàn yǐng ma?
    Have you seen that classic movie?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

经jīngscripture
典diǎncanon

经 scripture and 典 canon together mean authoritative classic works.

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 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mìsilk; thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng經jīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

Open 经 →

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

  • 冊冊cèbooks
  • 丌丌qítable

典 puts 冊 (books) on a 丌 (table), showing official books resting on a table.

Open 典 →
Appears in
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