脸盆 (liǎn pén) — washbasin, washbowl

Definition

A basin used specifically for washing the face. 脸 (face) + 盆 (basin) makes the meaning transparent.

noun
washbasinwashbowl
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 脸盆。
    Qǐng bǎ liǎn pén ná guò lái.
    Please bring the washbasin over.
  • 脸盆。
    Zhè ge liǎn pén shì xīn de.
    This washbasin is new.
  • 脸盆。
    Tā yòng liǎn pén xǐ le liǎn.
    He washed his face with the washbasin.

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.

脸liǎnface
盆pénbasin

脸 is face and 盆 is basin, a basin for washing the face.

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 臉; 脸 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺼Written in full as肉ròubody part
Sound part声符shēngfú
僉
僉qiān臉liǎn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 臉 combines ⺼ (肉, body part) with 僉 as a sound part; the simplified 脸 is a later abbreviation.

Open 脸 →

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
皿皿mǐn
Sound part声符shēngfú
分
分fēn盆pén(r)
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

盆 pairs 分, which gives the sound, with 皿, a vessel, to indicate a basin or tub.

Open 盆 →

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