主持 (zhǔ chí) — to host (a TV or radio program); to preside over, to chair (a meeting, event); to uphold, to stand for (justice, a principle)

Definition

主持 focuses on leading/hosting an event, program, or meeting in person. 代表 is 'represent' (speak for); 主办 is the more formal 'organize/sponsor' the event itself; 主播 is specifically a TV/radio anchor.

verb
to host (a TV or radio program)to preside overto chair (a meeting, event)to upholdto stand for (justice, a principle)

Examples

  • 主持。
    Tā zhǔ chí de jié mù hěn shòu huān yíng.
    The show he hosts is very popular.
  • 主持。
    Jīng lǐ zhǔ chí le jīn tiān de huì yì.
    The manager chaired today's meeting.
  • 主持。
    Wǒ men yào zhǔ chí gōng zhèng.
    We must uphold fairness.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

主zhǔpreside
持chíhold

主 gives preside or manage, and 持 gives hold; together they mean to take charge.

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.

Open 主 →

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
手手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
寺
寺sì持chí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

持 combines 手 (hand), for the idea of holding, with 寺, which gives the sound.

Open 持 →
Appears in
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