袖珍 (xiù zhēn) — pocket-sized; miniature | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Modifies small, compact objects designed to fit in a pocket — like novels or radios. Pairs naturally with 口袋; 微型 is the general-purpose 'miniature/micro-' for any tiny thing (electronics, organisms, etc.).

adjective

pocket-sizedminiature

Examples

袖珍，。
Tā mǎi le yì běn xiù zhēn xiǎo shuō, fāng biàn zài huǒ chē shàng kàn.
He bought a pocket-sized novel, convenient to read on the train.
袖珍。
Zhè ge xiù zhēn shōu yīn jī kě yǐ fàng jìn kǒu dài lǐ.
This pocket-sized radio can fit into a pocket.
袖珍。
Tā sòng gěi wǒ yí gè xiù zhēn bǐ jì běn.
She gave me a pocket-sized notebook.

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.

珍zhēntreasure

袖 (sleeve) and 珍 (treasure) suggest a small precious thing carried in a sleeve.

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

衣衣yīclothing

Sound part声符shēngfú

由

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

袖 pairs 衣 (clothing) with 由, which provides the sound.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

㐱

㐱㐱珍

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

珍 pairs 玉, a jade or gem, with 㐱, which gives the sound; the 玉 part fits its early meaning of a rich gemstone.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Size & Dimension

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