量子论 (liàng zǐ lùn) — quantum theory

Definition

noun

quantum theory

量子论。
liàng zǐ lùn Shì èr shí shì jì chū fā zhǎn qǐ lái de wù lǐ xué lǐ lùn.
Quantum theory is a physics theory that developed in the early 20th century.
量子论。
Xué xí liàng zǐ lùn xū yào zhā shi de shù xué jī chǔ.
Studying quantum theory requires a solid math foundation.
量子论。
liàng zǐ lùn Duì huà xué hé cái liào kē xué yě yǒu zhòng dà yǐng xiǎng.
Quantum theory also has a major impact on chemistry and materials science.

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.

量子quantum

量liángquantity子zǐparticle

偏正Modifier + head

量子 names a quantum and 论 names theory, so the meaning is quantum theory.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

量 has 日 (sun) over 東 (bag; east). Some explanations suggest measuring under the sun or the sun rising in the east, but the exact origin is unclear.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

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 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

言侖論

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

侖

侖lún論lùn

Same sound today

The traditional form 論 pairs 言 (“say”) with 侖 as a sound component; the simplified 论 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.