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阐述 (chǎn shù) — to expound, to elaborate on (a subject or viewpoint)

Definition

阐述 means to lay out and explain a viewpoint, idea, or subject in detail — a written/formal alternative to 论述. It focuses on clearly presenting one's own position rather than analyzing pros and cons.

verb
to expoundto elaborate on (a subject or viewpoint)

Examples

  • 阐述。
    Tā chǎn shù le zì jǐ de guān diǎn.
    He expounded his own viewpoint.
  • 阐述。
    Qǐng nǐ chǎn shù yí xià zhè cì shī bài de yuán yīn.
    Please elaborate on the reasons for this failure.
  • 阐述。
    Jiào shòu zài kè táng shàng chǎn shù le huán bǎo de zhòng yào xìng.
    The professor expounded the importance of environmental protection in class.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

阐chǎnlay out
述shùstate

阐 means lay out and 述 means state, so 阐述 is to expound a topic.

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 闡; 阐 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
門門méndouble door
Sound part声符shēngfú
單
單dān闡chǎn
Same sound today

The traditional form 闡 combines 門, a double door, with 單, which supplies its sound.

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
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
朮
朮zhú述shù
Same sound today

述 combines 辵, a walking radical, with 朮, which gives the sound; the walking part belongs to the meaning.

Open 述 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Communication & Speech

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