软骨 (ruǎn gǔ) — cartilage | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

cartilage

Measure word · 块

Examples

软骨。
Tā de xī gài ruǎn gǔ shòu shāng le.
His knee cartilage is injured.
软骨。
ruǎn gǔ Zài guān jié zhōng qǐ dào huǎn chōng zuò yòng.
Cartilage acts as a cushion in the joints.
软骨。
Yǒu xiē shí wù kě yǐ bǎo hù ruǎn gǔ jiàn kāng.
Some foods can protect cartilage health.

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.

软 describes 骨, naming the soft tissue that functions like a bone.

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 軟; 软 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

車車jūcarriage

Sound part声符shēngfú

耎

耎ruǎn軟ruǎn

Same sound today

The traditional form 軟 pairs 車 (carriage) with 耎 as a sound part; 耎 depicted a man under rain, and simplified 软 uses a later right side instead of 耎.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

冎

冎guǎ骨gǔ

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

The older form 冎 drew a bone; 肉, flesh, was added to make 骨.

Appears in

Organs & Anatomy

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