馆 (guǎn) — (bound form) embassy; legation; consulate; (bound form) cultural or commercial establishment; shop
Definition
馆 (guǎn) is a bound noun meaning 'establishment' — it never stands alone and combines with a modifier to name the place (图书馆 library, 餐馆 restaurant, 大使馆 embassy).
bound form
embassylegationconsulatecultural or commercial establishmentshop
Examples
- 。Wǒ qù tú shū guǎn jiè shū.I go to the library to borrow books.
- 。Zhè jiā cān guǎn de cài hěn hǎo chī.This restaurant's food is delicious.
- 。Tā zài dà shǐ guǎn gōng zuò.He works at the embassy.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 館; 馆 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 館 is made of 食, written as 飠 on the left, and 官 on the right; 官 provides the sound. The simplified 馆 is a later shorthand.
Appears in
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