设卡 (shè kǎ) — to set up a checkpoint; to set up roadblocks

Definition

设卡 is a formal verb meaning to set up a checkpoint or roadblock, typically by police or border control. It is not for routine stops — it implies an official barrier to inspect or block traffic.

verb
to set up a checkpointto set up roadblocks

Examples

  • 设卡，。
    Jǐng chá zài gāo sù gōng lù shàng shè kǎ, jiǎn chá chē liàng.
    Police set up checkpoints on the highway to inspect vehicles.
  • 设卡，。
    Tā men zài lù kǒu shè kǎ, yāo qiú měi liàng chē tíng xià.
    They set up a checkpoint at the intersection, requiring every car to stop.
  • 设卡，。
    Biān jìng shàng shè kǎ, fáng zhǐ fēi fǎ rù jìng.
    Checkpoints are set up at the border to prevent illegal entry.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

设shèset up
卡kǎcheckpoint

设 means set up and 卡 means checkpoint, so it describes setting up a roadblock.

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 設; 设 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì設shè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 設 uses 言 (speech) to show the meaning and 埶 to give the sound; this explanation is for 設, not the simplified 设.

Open 设 →

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

卡 is made from 上 (up) and 下 (down), with their horizontal lines fused, showing something squeezed between above and below.

Open 卡 →

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