分属 (fēn shǔ) — to be classified under; to belong to (a category)

Definition

Formal/literate verb meaning 'to be classified under / to belong to (a category)'. Unlike 属于, which is general 'to belong to', 分属 emphasizes being assigned to a particular category or system.

verb
to be classified underto belong to (a category)

Examples

  • 分属。
    Zhè xiē wén wù fēn shǔ bù tóng de lì shǐ shí qī.
    These cultural relics belong to different historical periods.
  • 分属。
    Gāi bù mén fēn shǔ xíng zhèng guǎn lǐ xì tǒng.
    This department is classified under the administrative management system.
  • 分属。
    Zhè xiē zhí wù fēn shǔ rè dài yǔ lín wù zhǒng.
    These plants belong to tropical rainforest species.

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.

分fēnseparately
属shǔbelong

分 brings separation, and 属 brings belonging; the meaning is falling separately under a class.

Characters in this word

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

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

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 屬; 属 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
㞑Written in full as尾wěitail
Sound part声符shēngfú
蜀
蜀shǔ屬shǔ
Same sound today

The traditional form 屬 pairs 㞑 (tail) with 蜀 as a sound part; the simplified 属 is a shorthand.

Open 属 →

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