集锦 (jí jǐn) — a collection of choice specimens (often used in book or album titles)

Definition

A noun meaning 'collection' or 'compilation' of carefully chosen highlights — most often seen in book, album, or video titles rather than everyday speech.

noun
a collection of choice specimens (often used in book or album titles)

Examples

  • 集锦。
    Zhè běn shè yǐng jí jǐn zhǎn shì le shì jiè gè dì de zì rán fēng guāng.
    This photo collection showcases natural scenery from around the world.
  • 集锦，。
    Wǒ mǎi le yì pán nián dù gē qǔ jí jǐn, lǐ miàn dōu shì jīng diǎn lǎo gē.
    I bought a year-end song compilation, which is full of classic old songs.
  • 集锦。
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng tái cí jí jǐn shōu lù le zuì lìng rén nán wàng de duì huà.
    This movie quote collection includes the most unforgettable dialogues.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

集jígather
锦jǐnbrocade

集 means gather, and 锦 suggests beautiful pieces, so the word is a gathered collection of highlights.

Characters in this word

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

集 pairs 隹 (bird) with 木 (tree), showing birds on a tree, hence a gathering.

Open 集 →

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 錦; 锦 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
帛帛bó
Sound part声符shēngfú
金
金jīn錦jǐn
Same sound today

The traditional form 錦 pairs 金, which gives its sound, with 帛, cloth.

Open 锦 →

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