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致电 (zhì diàn) — to call (by telephone, formal); to send a telegram (formal, now rare)

Definition

A formal verb meaning 'to telephone / to call'. Suggests a written-register tone — as in a notice or announcement — more formal than everyday 打 (电话).

verb
to call (by telephone, formal)to send a telegram (formal, now rare)

Examples

  • 致电。
    Tā zhì diàn gōng sī xún wèn qíng kuàng.
    He called the company to inquire about the situation.
  • 。
    Tā zhì le diàn gěi lǎo bǎn.
    He made a phone call to the boss.
  • 致电。
    Wǒ míng zǎo zhì diàn tōng zhī nǐ.
    I will call you tomorrow morning to inform you.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

致zhìsend
电diàntelegram

The “致” send and “电” telegram suggest sending a message by wire.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攵Written in full as攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
至
至zhì致zhì
Same sound today

致 pairs 至, used for its sound, with 攵, written in full as 攴.

Open 致 →

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 電; 电 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
雨雨yǔrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn電diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For the traditional form 電, 雨 (rain) sits with 申, read shēn and meaning lightning.

Open 电 →
Appears in
Phones & Telecom

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