罗经 (luó jīng) — (navigation) compass, especially a magnetic compass used in maritime or aviation contexts

Definition

Traditional technical term for a (magnetic) compass used in maritime and aviation navigation. More literary and specialized than the everyday word 指南针.

noun
(navigation) compass, especially a magnetic compass used in maritime or aviation contexts
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 罗经。
    Chuán zhǎng zhèng zài yòng luó jīng què dìng fāng xiàng.
    The captain is using the compass to determine the direction.
  • 罗经。
    Zhè sōu chuán shàng de luó jīng fēi cháng jīng què.
    The compass on this ship is very accurate.
  • 罗经，。
    Fēi xíng yuán jiǎn chá le luó jīng, què rèn háng xiàng zhèng què.
    The pilot checked the compass and confirmed the heading was correct.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 羅; 罗 is its simplified writing.

  • 网网wǎngnet
  • 維維wéibird (tied with string)

The traditional form 羅 combines 网 (net) with 維 (a bird tied with string) to show a net for catching birds; the simplified 罗 is a later abbreviation.

Open 罗 →

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 →

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