再现 (zài xiàn) — to reproduce, to recreate, to reconstruct (a scene, event, or object from the past)

Definition

To recreate or reconstruct a past scene, atmosphere, or event in vivid detail (e.g. in film, music, or 3D). Unlike 还原/复原, which stress restoring a physical object to its original state, 再现 focuses on bringing an experience back to life.

verb
to reproduceto recreateto reconstruct (a scene, event, or object from the past)

Examples

  • 再现
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng shēng dòng zài xiàn le táng cháo de fán huá jǐng xiàng.
    This movie vividly recreates the bustling scenes of the Tang Dynasty.
  • 3D再现
    Kē xué jiā tōng guò 3D jì shù zài xiàn le gǔ dài chéng shì de fēng mào.
    Scientists used 3D technology to reconstruct the appearance of an ancient city.
  • 再现
    Zhè duàn yīn yuè wán měi zài xiàn le yǔ yè de qì fen.
    This piece of music perfectly reproduces the atmosphere of a rainy night.

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.

zàiagain
xiànappear

再 again and 现 appear combine to mean bring something back into view.

Characters in this word

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

Open 再 →

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 現; 现 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
jade
Sound part声符shēngfú
jiàn
Same sound today

The traditional form 現 pairs 玉 (jade) with 見 as a sound part; the simplified 现 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 现 →

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