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雄伟 (xióng wěi) — majestic, magnificent, grand

Definition

Used for physical structures and natural features (buildings, mountains) that impress through sheer size and power. Compare 壮丽 (scenery with striking beauty) and 宏伟 (large-scale human-built projects).

adjective
majesticmagnificentgrand

Examples

  • 雄伟。
    Zhè zuò gōng diàn fēi cháng xióng wěi.
    This palace is very magnificent.
  • 雄伟。
    xióng wěi De shān mài ràng rén jīng tàn.
    The majestic mountain range is breathtaking.
  • 雄伟。
    Tā yǒu yí gè xióng wěi de jì huà.
    He has a grand plan.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

雄xióngpowerful
伟wěigreat

雄 carries power or grandeur, and 伟 carries greatness, together painting something majestic.

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
隹隹zhuī
Sound part声符shēngfú
厷
厷gōng雄xióng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

雄 is formed by putting 隹 together with 厷, with 厷 giving the character's sound.

Open 雄 →

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 偉; 伟 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
韋
韋wéi偉wěi
Same sound today

The traditional form 偉 combines 亻, a person, with 韋, which gives the sound. The simplified 伟 is a later shorthand.

Open 伟 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Appearance

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