中号 (zhōng hào) — medium size

Definition

Used in clothing, shoes, and similar goods to mean 'medium size' — sits between 小号 (small) and 大号 (large). You usually need 的 after it to modify a noun (中号的).

noun
medium size

Examples

  • 中号。
    Zhè jiàn yī fu shì zhōng hào de.
    This piece of clothing is medium size.
  • 中号？
    zhōng hào Hé dà hào nǎ ge hé shì?
    Which is suitable, medium or large?
  • 中号。
    Wǒ yào yí gè zhōng hào de.
    I'd like one in medium size.

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.

中zhōngmiddle
号hàosize

中 (“middle”) + 号 (“size”) gives the size in the middle range.

Characters in this word

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

The original picture showed a flagpole with a drum in the middle, set up in the center of a field.

Open 中 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 口口kǒumouth
  • 丂丂kǎoexhaled air; a tiger's cry

The shape 号 comes from 口, a mouth, and 丂, exhaled air or a tiger's cry.

Open 号 →

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