颂扬 (sòng yáng) — to praise highly, to extol | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal/literary verb meaning 'to praise highly or extol,' used in writing and speeches for lofty subjects (virtues, contributions, sacrifices). Stronger and more elevated than everyday 称赞.

verb

to praise highlyto extol

Examples

颂扬。
Rén men fēn fēn sòng yáng zhè wèi kē xué jiā de wěi dà gòng xiàn.
People all praised this scientist's great contributions.
颂扬。
Zhè piān wén zhāng sòng yáng le zhōng huá mín zú de chuán tǒng měi dé.
This article extols the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation.
颂扬。
Tā zài yǎn jiǎng zhōng sòng yáng le zhì yuàn zhě de wú sī fèng xiàn jīng shén.
In his speech, he eulogized the selfless dedication of the volunteers.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

颂 praises and 扬 spreads praise, together meaning to extol.

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 頌; 颂 is its simplified writing.

公頁頌

Meaning part形符xíngfú

頁頁yèhead

Sound part声符shēngfú

公

公gōng頌sòng

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

The traditional form 頌 pairs 公 for the sound with 頁, meaning head.

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 揚; 扬 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

手手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

昜

昜yáng揚

Same sound today

The traditional form 揚 uses 手 to show a hand-related action and 昜 to give the sound; the simplified 扬 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

Communication & Speech

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