修缮 (xiū shàn) — to renovate, to repair (especially buildings or structures)

Definition

修缮 (xiū shàn) is a formal verb meaning to renovate or repair, typically buildings and structures. It is more formal than 修 and implies a fuller restoration rather than minor fixing.

verb
to renovateto repair (especially buildings or structures)

Examples

  • 修缮
    Zhè zuò gǔ jiàn zhù zhèng zài xiū shàn.
    This ancient building is being renovated.
  • 修缮
    Tā men huā le hěn duō qián xiū shàn lǎo fáng zi.
    They spent a lot of money renovating the old house.
  • 修缮
    Zhèng fǔ jué dìng xiū shàn zhè zuò gōng yuán de shè shī.
    The government decided to renovate the facilities of this park.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

xiūrepair
shànrepair

Both 修 and 缮 mean repair, so together they give renovate.

Characters in this word

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

修 is built from 攸, which gives the sound, and 彡, a set of three strokes that shows the meaning.

Open 修 →

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 繕; 缮 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
thread; textile
Sound part声符shēngfú
shànshàn
Same sound today

The traditional form 繕 pairs 糸 (thread; textile) with 善, which gives the sound and means good; the simplified 缮 is a later shorthand.

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