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质子 (zhì zǐ) — proton (physics); (historical) prince sent as a hostage to another state

Definition

Two unrelated meanings share this word: in physics, 'proton' (a particle in the atomic nucleus); in history, a 'hostage prince' — a royal son sent to a foreign court as a political guarantee.

noun
proton (physics)(historical) prince sent as a hostage to another state

Examples

  • 质子。
    zhì zǐ Shì yuán zǐ hé de zhòng yào zǔ chéng bù fen.
    Protons are an important component of the atomic nucleus.
  • ，质子。
    Zài gǔ dài, zhì zǐ bèi sòng dào lín guó yǐ què bǎo hé píng.
    In ancient times, a prince was sent as a hostage to a neighboring state to ensure peace.
  • 质子。
    Kē xué jiā zhèng zài yán jiū zhì zǐ de nèi bù jié gòu.
    Scientists are studying the internal structure of protons.

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.

质zhìmatter; hostage
子zǐparticle; son

质 and 子 combine as matter-particle in physics, or hostage-son in history.

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 質; 质 is its simplified writing.

  • 斦斦yín
  • 貝貝bèi

The traditional form 質 is made up of 貝 and 斦; this describes 質, not the simplified 质.

Open 质 →

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
HistoryPhysics & Chemistry

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