骨架 (gǔ jià) — skeleton (of a human or animal); framework, str… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

骨架 literally pairs 骨 ('bone') and 架 ('frame') — the physical skeleton of a body, or the skeletal framework of a building, argument, or story. Use 骨骼 only for anatomical bone systems; use 结构 for abstract systems/organizations.

noun

skeleton (of a human or animal)frameworkstructure (of a building, argument, creative work)

Examples

骨架。
Zhè jù kǒng lóng gǔ jià bǎo cún zài bó wù guǎn lǐ.
This dinosaur skeleton is kept in the museum.
骨架。
Zhè zuò dà qiáo de gǔ jià yóu gāng tiě gòu chéng.
The framework of this bridge is made of steel.
骨架。
Tā xiě xiǎo shuō zhī qián xiān dā hǎo le gù shi gǔ jià.
Before writing the novel, he first set up the story framework.

Origin

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.

骨 means bone and 架 means frame; together they describe a bone-like frame or skeleton.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

冎

冎guǎ骨gǔ

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

The older form 冎 drew a bone; 肉, flesh, was added to make 骨.

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

加木架

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree, wood

Sound part声符shēngfú

加

加jiā架jià

Same sound today

架 shows 木, meaning wood, with 加 giving the sound; it refers to a wooden prop.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Abstract Concepts Body Parts

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