Definition
偶 (ǒu) is a bound form (不成词语素) that cannot stand alone; it appears in compound words with several distinct meanings: 'by chance' (偶然, 偶遇), 'even number' (偶数), 'idol / image' (偶像, 木偶), and 'spouse / partner' (配偶, 佳偶). The context of the compound determines which sense applies. Unlike free words, you must always combine 偶 with another character to form a complete word.
b.f.
by chanceaccidentally (used in compounds like 偶然, 偶遇)even (number) (used in compounds like 偶数, 对偶)idolimage of a person (used in compounds like 偶像, 木偶)
Examples
- 。Tā ǒu rán zài jiē shàng yù dào le lǎo péngyou.He happened to run into an old friend on the street.
- ，。Zhège shùzì shì ǒu shù, kěyǐ bèi èr zhěngchú.This number is even and can be divided by two.
- 。Hěnduō niánqīng rén bǎ míngxīng dàngzuò zìjǐ de ǒu xiàng.Many young people regard celebrities as their idols.
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