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诸多 (zhū duō) — many, a lot of (used for abstract things)

Definition

诸多 (zhū duō) is a written-form word meaning 'many, numerous', almost always modifying abstract nouns (因素, 困难, 方面). More formal and literary than 多, 好多, and 许多, which suit everyday speech.

adjective
manya lot of (used for abstract things)

Examples

  • 诸多。
    Chéng gōng xū yào zhū duō yīn sù.
    Success requires many factors.
  • 诸多。
    Tā yù dào le zhū duō kùn nan.
    He encountered many difficulties.
  • 诸多。
    Zhè ge jì huà shè jí zhū duō fāng miàn.
    This plan involves many aspects.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

诸zhūmany
多duōmany

诸 and 多 both point to many, so 诸多 means a good deal of abstract things.

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 諸; 诸 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
者
者zhě諸zhū
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The form 諸 pairs 言 (speech) with 者; 者 gives the sound.

Open 诸 →

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

多 originally showed two pieces of meat placed together; the repeated meat shape gives the sense of many.

Open 多 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Quantity & Amount

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