结疤 (jié bā) — to form a scab, to become scarred (of a wound)

Definition

A verb-object phrase describing a wound as it heals: the skin closes and a scab forms. Focuses on the physical process of scarring over, not the resulting scar itself (疤).

verb
to form a scabto become scarred (of a wound)

Examples

  • 结疤。
    Shāng kǒu yǐ jīng kāi shǐ jié bā le.
    The wound has already started to scab.
  • 。
    Tā de shāng kǒu jié le yí gè hěn dà de bā.
    His wound formed a very big scab.
  • ，结疤。
    Shuāi shāng hòu, tuǐ shàng jié bā le.
    After the fall, a scab formed on the leg.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

结jiéform
疤bāscab

结 means to form and 疤 is a scab, so it means to form a scab.

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 結; 结 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
吉
吉jí結jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 結 pairs 糸 with 吉; 吉 gives the sound, and 糸 relates to the meaning. The simplified 结 is a later shorthand.

Open 结 →

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
疒疒nè
Sound part声符shēngfú
巴
巴bā疤bā
Same sound today

疤 pairs 疒, a part related to illness, with 巴 (bā), which gives the sound.

Open 疤 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.