起锚 (qǐ máo) — to weigh anchor | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

'To weigh anchor' — a formal verb phrase used for ships lifting anchor to begin sailing. The verb 起 here means 'to raise / lift', and 锚 is 'anchor'.

verb

to weigh anchor

Examples

起锚。
Chuán zài zǎo shàng qī diǎn qǐ máo.
The ship weighed anchor at seven in the morning.
，。
Chuán qǐ le máo, zhǔn bèi chū fā.
The ship weighed anchor and prepared to depart.
起锚，。
qǐ máo Hòu, chuán màn màn kāi chū le gǎng kǒu.
After weighing anchor, the ship slowly sailed out of the harbor.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

起 lifts the 锚, so the ship can leave port.

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.

走巳起

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

巳

巳sì起qǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

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 錨; 锚 is its simplified writing.

金苗錨

Meaning part形符xíngfú

金金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

苗

苗miáo錨máo

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 錨 uses 金 for metal and 苗 for sound.

Appears in

Boats & Water Travel

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