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互联网 (Hù lián wǎng) — the Internet

Definition

互联网 (Hùliánwǎng) is the formal written name for 'the Internet' as a global network. 比 网络 more specifically tied to the public Internet, while 网上 just means 'online' (adverbial).

noun
the Internet

Examples

  • 互联网。
    Wǒ tōng guò Hù lián wǎng xué xí yīng yǔ.
    I study English through the Internet.
  • 互联网。
    Hù lián wǎng Shàng yǒu xǔ duō yǒu yòng de xìn xī.
    There is a lot of useful information on the Internet.
  • 互联网。
    Wǒ men kě yǐ zài Hù lián wǎng shàng zhǎo dào dá àn.
    We can find answers on the Internet.

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.

互联interconnected
互hùmutual联liánconnect
偏正Modifier + head
网wǎngnet

互 gives the mutual sense, 联 gives connecting, and 网 gives network, together naming the connected network.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The form 互 is a tooth shape with a distinguishing mark added.

Open 互 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 聯; 联 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 聯 combines 耳 (ear) and 絲 (silk); 联 is a simplified form of 聯.

Open 联 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 網; 网 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìrope
Sound part声符shēngfú
罔
罔wǎng網wǎng
Same sound today

The traditional form 網 pairs 糸 (rope) with 罔 to give the sound; the simplified 网 is a later shorthand.

Open 网 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 6Computers & Internet

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