主因 (zhǔ yīn) — main cause, primary reason

Definition

noun
main causeprimary reason
Easily confused

Examples

  • 主因。
    Zhè cì shì gù de zhǔ yīn shì shè bèi lǎo huà.
    The main cause of this accident is equipment aging.
  • 主因？
    Tā cí zhí de zhǔ yīn shì shén me?
    What is the main reason for his resignation?
  • 主因。
    zhǔ yīn Zài yú quē fá gōu tōng.
    The main reason lies in a lack of communication.

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.

主zhǔmain
因yīncause

主 “main” + 因 “cause” gives the principal reason.

Characters in this word

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

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

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

  • 囗囗wéisheet
  • 大大dàperson

Originally, 因 showed 大 (a person) on 囗 (a sheet or mattress).

Open 因 →

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