马勒 (mǎ lè) — bit, bridle, or halter (horse tack)

Definition

noun

bitbridleor halter (horse tack)

Measure word · 个

马勒。
Zhè pǐ mǎ de mǎ lè hěn xīn.
This horse's bridle is very new.
马勒。
Tā gěi mǎ dài shàng le mǎ lè.
He put the bridle on the horse.
马勒。
mǎ lè Shì qí mǎ shí bì bù kě shǎo de zhuāng bèi.
A bridle is essential equipment for riding a horse.

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.

“马” (horse) and “勒” (bridle) combine to mean a horse bridle.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 馬; 马 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 馬 shows a horse with its head facing left, a flowing mane, and two legs standing vertically.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

革力勒

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

力

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

勒 pairs 革 (leather), because bridles are made of leather, with 力, which gives the sound.

Appears in