事例 (shì lì) — example, instance, precedent | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

事例 is a formal noun for a concrete 'example' or case, typically a real instance used to illustrate or support an argument. It is more written and case-oriented than 例子, which is the everyday word for any illustrative sample.

noun

exampleinstanceprecedent

Measure word · 个

Examples

事例。
Zhè ge shì lì hěn yǒu shuō fú lì.
This example is very persuasive.
事例。
Tā jǔ le yí gè lì shǐ shì lì lái zhèng míng zì jǐ de guān diǎn.
He cited a historical example to prove his point.
事例。
Zhè xiē shì lì dōu lái zì shí jì shēng huó.
These examples all come from real life.

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.

例lìexample

事 (matter) combines with 例 (example) to mean an instance.

Characters in this word

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

又又yòuhand
中中zhōnga flagpole with a drum

In 事, 又 is a hand and 中 is a flagpole with a drum; holding a flag in hand depicts performing a job.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻列例

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rén

Sound part声符shēngfú

列

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

例 is built from 亻, which relates to people, and 列, which gives the sound.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.