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元素 (yuán sù) — element, component (key part of something); (chemistry) chemical element; (mathematics) element (member of a set)

Definition

A general word for 'element' or 'component,' used in everyday, scientific (chemistry), and mathematical contexts. Closer to 成分 in everyday use; 要素 is reserved for a 'key/essential' element, and 因素 specifically means a 'factor' (cause or influence).

noun
elementcomponent (key part of something)(chemistry) chemical element(mathematics) element (member of a set)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 元素。
    Zhè ge gù shi de guān jiàn yuán sù shì yǒu yì hé xìn rèn.
    The key elements of this story are friendship and trust.
  • 。
    Jīn hé yín dōu shì huà xué yuán sù.
    Gold and silver are both chemical elements.
  • 元素。
    Jí hé zhōng de měi gè yuán sù dōu bù xiāng tóng.
    Every element in the set is different.

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.

元yuánbasic
素sùsubstance

元 (basic) plus 素 (substance) gives a basic component.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape 元 shows a figure with two lines for a head, one connected to the body and one above it, emphasizing the head.

Open 元 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 素 came from a picture of hands braiding thread.

Open 素 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6MathPhysics & Chemistry

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