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中心 (zhōng xīn) — center (of a place or area); core (of an issue or problem); center (institution, e.g., research center, shopping center)

Definition

中心 covers both the physical center of a place and the core/most important part of an issue, and also names an institution (e.g., 研究中心). 核心 is more abstract, used only for the figurative 'core' of ideas or groups, never for places or institutions.

noun
center (of a place or area)core (of an issue or problem)center (institution, e.g., research center, shopping center)
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 中心。
    Zhè ge guǎng chǎng zài chéng shì de zhōng xīn.
    This square is in the center of the city.
  • 中心。
    Wǒ men yào zhuā zhù wèn tí de zhōng xīn.
    We need to grasp the core of the problem.
  • 中心。
    Tā zài yì jiā yán jiū zhōng xīn gōng zuò.
    She works at a research center.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

中zhōngmiddle
心xīncore

The middle and core meanings combine to denote the central point.

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 →

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

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

Open 心 →
Appears in
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