里程碑式 (lǐ chéng bēi shì) — of landmark significance; historic (attributive); milestone-like; representing a major turning point

Definition

An adjective meaning 'landmark, of historic significance' — always used attributively before a noun (里程碑式的事件), never as a predicate. Modifies breakthroughs, turning points, reforms — not people.

adjective
of landmark significancehistoric (attributive)milestone-likerepresenting a major turning point

Examples

  • 里程碑式。
    Zhè cì dà huì shì yí gè lǐ chéng bēi shì de zhuǎn zhé diǎn.
    This conference is a landmark turning point.
  • 里程碑式。
    Gāi gōng sī qǔ dé le lǐ chéng bēi shì de jì shù tū pò.
    The company achieved a milestone technological breakthrough.
  • 里程碑式。
    Zhè xiàng fǎ lǜ bèi shì wéi lǐ chéng bēi shì de gǎi gé jǔ cuò.
    This law is regarded as a landmark reform measure.

Origin

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 裡; 里 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 里 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (里, 里面) it is 裡; in others (公里) it is 里 or 裏.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
衤Written in full as衣yīclothes
Sound part声符shēngfú
里
里lǐ裡lǐ
Same sound today

The form 裡 pairs 衤 (clothes) with 里 as a sound component.

Open 里 →

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
禾禾hégrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
呈
呈chéng程chéng
Same sound today

程 is made from 禾 (grain) and 呈 (pronounced chéng); the evidence gives measurements.

Open 程 →

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
石石shístone
Sound part声符shēngfú
卑
卑bēi碑bēi
Same sound today

碑 shows 石 (stone) beside 卑, with 卑 giving the sound.

Open 碑 →

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
工工gōngwork
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì式shì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

式 pairs 工, meaning work, with 弋, which gives the sound.

Open 式 →

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