解码器 (jiě mǎ qì) — decoder (device or software that converts encoded data into a usable format)

Definition

noun
decoder (device or software that converts encoded data into a usable format)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 解码器。
    Zhè ge jiě mǎ qì kě yǐ jiě mǎ gāo qīng shì pín xìn hào.
    This decoder can decode high-definition video signals.
  • ,解码器。
    Diàn shì huài le, kě néng shì jiě mǎ qì chū le wèn tí.
    The TV is broken—it might be a problem with the decoder.
  • 解码器,。
    Ān zhuāng zhè kuǎn jiě mǎ qì hòu, ruǎn jiàn yùn xíng gèng liú chàng le.
    After installing this decoder, the software ran more smoothly.

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.

解码decode
解jiědecode码mǎcode
动宾Verb + object
器qìdevice

解 means decode, 码 means code, and 器 names the device.

Characters in this word

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

解 shows 刀 (knife) separating 角 (horn) from 牛 (cow), giving the picture of cutting up an ox.

Open 解 →

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 碼; 码 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shístone; rock
Sound part声符shēngfú
馬
馬mǎ碼mǎ
Same sound today

The traditional form 碼 pairs 石 (stone) with 馬 for its sound; the simplified 码 is a later shorthand.

Open 码 →

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

The origin of 器 is uncertain; one traditional account reads the whole shape as a scene of guarding over four vessels.

Open 器 →

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