TongTong
Sign in

避雷针 (bì léi zhēn) — lightning rod (device); (figurative) lightning rod (someone or something that attracts criticism)

Definition

Literally 'lightning-avoidance needle.' In modern usage it's also a metaphor for a person or thing that draws criticism — as in English 'lightning rod.'

noun
lightning rod (device)(figurative) lightning rod (someone or something that attracts criticism)
Measure word · 根

Examples

  • 避雷针。
    Zhè zuò dà lóu de lóu dǐng ān zhuāng le bì léi zhēn.
    A lightning rod has been installed on the roof of this building.
  • 避雷针，。
    bì léi zhēn Néng bǎ léi diàn yǐn dào dì miàn, bǎo hù jiàn zhù wù.
    A lightning rod can channel lightning to the ground, protecting buildings.
  • 避雷针。
    Nà ge zhèng kè chéng le pī píng de bì léi zhēn.
    That politician became a lightning rod for criticism.

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.

避雷avoid lightning
避bìavoid雷léilightning
动宾Verb + object
针zhēnrod

避雷 (avoids lightning) plus 针 (rod) gives a device that diverts lightning.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòto walk
Sound part声符shēngfú
辟
辟pì避bì
Same sound today

避 is built from 辶, a walking-related form, plus 辟, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 避 →

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
雨雨yǔrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
畾
畾léi雷léi
Same sound today

The top 雨 (rain) points to the meaning, and the bottom 畾 gives the sound.

Open 雷 →

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 針; 针 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
釒Written in full as金jīnmetal
Sound part声符shēngfú
十
十shí針zhēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 針 puts 釒, the metal side, beside 十, which gives the sound; 针 is a simplified shorthand.

Open 针 →
Appears in
Miscellaneous ObjectsWeather

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.