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计算机 (jì suàn jī) — computer; (Taiwan) calculator

Definition

Formal/literary word for 'computer' — 电脑 is the everyday spoken word. In Taiwan, 计算机 also means 'calculator'.

noun
computer(Taiwan) calculator
Measure word · 台

Examples

  • 计算机。
    Zhè tái jì suàn jī shì xīn de.
    This computer is new.
  • 计算机。
    Wǒ měi tiān yòng jì suàn jī gōng zuò.
    I use a computer to work every day.
  • 计算机。
    Tā mǎi le yì tái jì suàn jī fàng zài jiā lǐ.
    He bought a computer and put it at home.

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.

计算calculate
计jìcalculate算suàncalculate
联合Coordinate
机jīmachine

计算 means calculate, and 机 is a machine that does it.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 計; 计 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 計 pairs 言 (say) with 十 (all). The simplified 计 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical shape.

Open 计 →

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

The current form 算 has 竹 on top, 目 in the middle, and 廾 below; the 目 part may have originally drawn counting rods, often made of bamboo.

Open 算 →

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
木木mùtree; wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
几
几jǐ机jī
Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

Open 机 →
Appears in
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