网卡 (wǎng kǎ) — network interface card (NIC), network adapter

Definition

noun

network interface card (NIC)network adapter

Measure word · 块

网卡，。
Wǒ de wǎng kǎ huài le, shàng bù liǎo wǎng.
My network card is broken; I can't get online.
网卡。
Zhè tái diàn nǎo xū yào zhuāng yí gè xīn de wǎng kǎ.
This computer needs a new network card installed.
网卡网卡？
Nǐ yòng de shì yǒu xiàn wǎng kǎ hái shì wú xiàn wǎng kǎ?
Do you use a wired or wireless network card?

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.

The “网” refers to a network and the “卡” to a card, so the word names a network adapter card.

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 網; 网 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìrope

Sound part声符shēngfú

罔

Same sound today

The traditional form 網 pairs 糸 (rope) with 罔 to give the sound; the simplified 网 is a later shorthand.

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

卡 is made from 上 (up) and 下 (down), with their horizontal lines fused, showing something squeezed between above and below.