主次 (zhǔ cì) — the distinction between primary and secondary; priorities; the more important and the less important

Definition

A noun meaning the distinction between the primary (main) and secondary (lesser) — used when judging priorities or ranking things. Often appears in set phrases like 分清主次 ('sort out what's primary vs. secondary').

noun
the distinction between primary and secondaryprioritiesthe more important and the less important

Examples

  • 主次。
    Gān rèn hé gōng zuò dōu yào fēn qīng zhǔ cì.
    In any job, you need to distinguish priorities.
  • 主次。
    Zuò jué cè shí yào zhù yì zhǔ cì zhī jiān de guān xì.
    When making decisions, pay attention to the relationship between primary and secondary.
  • 主次，。
    Xué huì bǎ wò zhǔ cì, cái néng tí gāo xiào lǜ.
    Learning to grasp priorities can improve efficiency.

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zhǔprimary
次cìsecondary

“主” (primary) and “次” (secondary) stand side by side to name priorities.

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 →

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

The old form of 次 shows a person exhaling, with the marks above the figure representing breath.

Open 次 →

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