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缓冲 (huǎn chōng) — cushion (attributive; providing physical or metaphorical cushioning); buffer (attributive; providing temporary storage, separation, or protection)

Definition

Means 'cushion' or 'buffer' — a physical device or measure that softens impact, or a mechanism (in computing, economics, conflict) that prevents shock or sudden change.

adjective
cushion (attributive; providing physical or metaphorical cushioning)buffer (attributive; providing temporary storage, separation, or protection)

Examples

  • 缓冲。
    Zhè ge huǎn chōng zhuāng zhì néng jiǎn shǎo zhèn dòng.
    This cushioning device can reduce vibration.
  • 缓冲。
    Wǒ men xū yào yí gè huǎn chōng qū yù lái cún chǔ lín shí shù jù.
    We need a buffer area to store temporary data.
  • 缓冲。
    Wài huì chǔ bèi kě yǐ qǐ dào huǎn chōng zuò yòng.
    Foreign exchange reserves can serve as a buffer.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

缓huǎnsoften
冲chōngrush

缓 and 冲 combine to express softening or absorbing a rush, hence cushion or buffer.

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 緩; 缓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
爰
爰yuán緩huǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緩 pairs 糸 (silk) with 爰, which gives the sound; the simplified 缓 is a later shorthand.

Open 缓 →

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 衝; 冲 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 冲 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (冲, 冲动) it is 衝; in others (冲) it is 沖.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
行行xíng
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng衝chōng
Same sound today

The traditional form 衝 shows 重 inside 行, with 行 as the meaning part and 重 as the sound part; the simplified 冲 is a later shorthand.

Open 冲 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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