网状结构 (wǎng zhuàng jié gòu) — network structure, reticular structure (interconnected, net-like arrangement)

Definition

A noun for any net-like, reticular arrangement of interconnected parts — used in science, materials, and biology (e.g. the brain, polymers).

noun
network structurereticular structure (interconnected, net-like arrangement)

Examples

  • 网状结构。
    Zhè zhǒng wǎng zhuàng jié gòu kě yǐ zēng qiáng cái liào de qiáng dù.
    This kind of network structure can increase the material's strength.
  • 网状结构。
    Dà nǎo de wǎng zhuàng jié gòu fēi cháng fù zá.
    The reticular structure of the brain is very complex.
  • 网状结构。
    Tā men yòng jì suàn jī mó nǐ le wǎng zhuàng jié gòu.
    They simulated the network structure using a computer.

Origin

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.

网状net-like
网wǎngnet状zhuàngshape
偏正Modifier + head
结构structure
结jiétie构gòubuild
联合Side by side

The “网” is net, “状” shape, “结” tie, and “构” build, so it names a net-like structure.

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
罔wǎng網wǎng
Same sound today

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

Open 网 →

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 狀; 状 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犬犬quǎn
Sound part声符shēngfú
爿
爿pán狀zhuàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 狀 pairs 犬 (dog) with 爿 as a sound component; the simplified 状 is a shorthand, not the historical shape.

Open 状 →

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
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
勾
勾gōu构gòu
Same sound today

构 combines 木 (wood) with 勾, which gives the sound.

Open 构 →

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