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非线性 (fēi xiàn xìng) — (adjective) nonlinear (in mathematics, physics, systems theory)

Definition

Technical adjective meaning 'nonlinear' — used in math, physics, and systems theory where a quantity's change is not proportional to its input.

adjective
nonlinear (in mathematics, physics, systems theory)

Examples

  • 非线性。
    Zhè ge fēi xiàn xìng xì tǒng fēi cháng fù zá.
    This nonlinear system is very complex.
  • 非线性。
    fēi xiàn xìng Fāng chéng hěn nán qiú jiě.
    Nonlinear equations are very difficult to solve.
  • 非线性。
    Tā men yán jiū le fēi xiàn xìng dòng lì xué mó xíng.
    They studied a nonlinear dynamics model.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

非fēinot
线性linear
线xiànline性xìngnature
偏正Modifier + head

非 means not and 线性 means line-like, giving what is not linear.

Characters in this word

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

The shape of 非 is drawn from two wings facing opposite directions. It later came to be used for going against or not being.

Open 非 →

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 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →
Appears in
MathPhysics & Chemistry

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