轰隆隆 (hōng lōng lōng) — (onomatopoeia) rumble, roll (of thunder, machin…

Definition

Onomatopoeia for a deep, rolling rumble — used for thunder, heavy vehicles, and machinery.

onomatopoeia

rumbleroll (of thunder, machines, vehicles)

轰隆隆。
Wài miàn chuán lái hōng lōng lōng de léi shēng.
The rumble of thunder came from outside.
轰隆隆。
Huǒ chē hōng lōng lōng dì kāi guò lái le.
The train came rolling over with a rumble.
轰隆隆。
Gōng dì shàng de jī qì yì zhí hōng lōng lōng xiǎng.
The machines on the construction site are rumbling constantly.

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 轟; 轰 is its simplified writing.

車車車轟

The traditional form 轟 puts three 車 (cart) together; 轰 is a simplified shorthand.

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

降

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

The shape of 隆 is made from 生 and 降, with 降 giving the sound; an older part was later dropped.

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

降

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

The shape of 隆 is made from 生 and 降, with 降 giving the sound; an older part was later dropped.