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解码 (jiě mǎ) — to decode; to decipher

Definition

解码 (jiě mǎ) is a formal/technical verb: to convert coded signals (audio, video, data, QR codes) into a readable form. Used in computing and electronics rather than everyday speech.

verb
to decodeto decipher

Examples

  • 解码。
    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiě mǎ yí xià zhè ge èr wéi mǎ.
    Please help me decode this QR code.
  • 。
    Tā huā le zhěng zhěng yì tiān cái jiě wán nà xiē mǎ.
    It took him a whole day to finish decoding those codes.
  • 解码。
    Zhè ge ruǎn jiàn néng kuài sù jiě mǎ yīn pín xìn hào.
    This software can quickly decode audio signals.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

解jiěuntie
码mǎcode

解 means to untie or solve, and 码 means code: solving a code.

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 →
Appears in
Computers & InternetTechnology & Engineering

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