记述 (jì shù) — to record and narrate; to give an account of (in writing)

Definition

A written verb meaning to record and narrate events, often in detail. Similar to 记录 (record) but emphasizes giving a written account, not just gathering data.

verb
to record and narrateto give an account of (in writing)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 记述。
    Zhè piān lùn wén xiáng xì jì shù le gǔ dài wén míng de yǎn biàn guò chéng.
    This paper records and narrates the evolution of ancient civilizations in detail.
  • 记述。
    Tā de rì jì jì shù le zhàn zhēng shí qī de zhēn shí shēng huó.
    His diary gives an account of the real life during the war.
  • 记述。
    Zhè bù jì lù piàn jì shù le yí wèi kē xué jiā de chéng zhǎng gù shi.
    This documentary records the growth story of a scientist.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

记jìrecord
述shùnarrate

“记” and “述” both mean to record or tell, together giving a written account.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 記; 记 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech; words
Sound part声符shēngfú
己
己jǐ記jì
Same sound today

The traditional form 記 pairs 言 (speech; words) with 己 as a sound part; the simplified 记 is a later shorthand, so its right side is not the historical component.

Open 记 →

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
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
朮
朮zhú述shù
Same sound today

述 combines 辵, a walking radical, with 朮, which gives the sound; the walking part belongs to the meaning.

Open 述 →

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