偏振光 (piān zhèn guāng) — (physics) polarized light

Definition

Physics term for light whose waves vibrate in a single plane (e.g. through a polarizing filter). Used in optics, 3D cinema, and LCD screens.

noun
(physics) polarized light

Examples

  • 偏振光。
    piān zhèn guāng Tōng guò piān zhèn piàn hòu qiáng dù huì jiǎn ruò.
    The intensity of polarized light decreases after passing through a polarizing filter.
  • 3D偏振光。
    3D diàn yǐng lì yòng piān zhèn guāng jì shù lái chǎn shēng lì tǐ xiào guǒ.
    3D movies use polarized light technology to create a stereoscopic effect.
  • 偏振光。
    Yè jīng xiǎn shì píng fā chū de guāng shì piān zhèn guāng.
    The light emitted by an LCD screen is polarized light.

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.

偏振polarization
偏piāndeflected振zhènvibration
偏正Modifier + head
光guānglight

偏振光 is 光, light, that has undergone 偏振, polarization.

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
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
扁
扁biǎn偏piān
Same sound today

偏 combines 亻 (人, a person) with 扁, which gives the sound.

Open 偏 →

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
辰
辰chén振zhèn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

振 pairs 手 (hand) with 辰: 手 shows it is about a hand action, and 辰 gives the sound.

Open 振 →

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

  • 火火huǒfire
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

The shape 光 places 火 (fire) above 卩 (a kneeling person), showing fire over the head and the shining of light.

Open 光 →

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