震源 (zhèn yuán) — epicenter or hypocenter (of an earthquake)

Definition

noun

epicenter or hypocenter (of an earthquake)

Measure word · 个

震源。
Nà cì dì zhèn de zhèn yuán zài hǎi dǐ.
The epicenter of that earthquake was on the seabed.
震源。
Dì zhì xué jiā zhèng zài yán jiū zhè ge dì zhèn de zhèn yuán.
Geologists are researching the hypocenter of this earthquake.
震源。
Zhè ge dì qū lí dì zhèn zhèn yuán hěn jìn.
This area is very close to the earthquake's epicenter.

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.

震zhènearthquake/shock

“震” refers to an earthquake and “源” to its source; together they name the place where a quake starts.

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.

雨辰震

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

辰

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

震 combines 雨 (rain) with 辰 (chén), which gives the sound; 雨 is the part associated with the character’s meaning.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

原

Same sound today

源 combines 水 (water) and 原 (origin): 水 points to water, and 原 gives the sound.