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象征 (xiàng zhēng) — symbol; emblem; token; to symbolize; to signify; to stand for

Definition

As a noun, 象征 is a thing that stands for an abstract idea (e.g. a rose as a symbol of love); as a verb, it means 'to symbolize' that idea. Compared with 标志 (a concrete mark/logo) and 符号 (a written sign), 象征 is more abstract and meaningful.

symbolemblemtokento symbolizeto signifyto stand for

Examples

  • 象征。
    Méi gui shì ài qíng de xiàng zhēng.
    The rose is a symbol of love.
  • 象征。
    Tā de huà xiàng zhēng zhe jù jué.
    His words signified a refusal.
  • 象征，。
    Lǜ sè xiàng zhēng huán bǎo, rén rén xǐ huan.
    Green symbolizes environmental protection, and everyone likes it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

象xiàngimage
征zhēngsign

象 gives the image or appearance, and 征 gives the sign, so the word means a symbol.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

象 is drawn as an elephant, with a long trunk, a head, and a big body.

Open 象 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 徵; 征 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 征 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (特征, 象征) it is 徵; in others it is 征.

The story is about the traditional form 徵. It originally meant punishment, from a picture of a knife with tooth-shaped protrusions on its back; later forms kept that sense.

Open 征 →
Appears in
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