分晓 (fēn xiǎo) — outcome, result (especially after a process or competition); clarity, resolution (of a matter)

Definition

A literary noun for the 'outcome / resolution' that emerges after a process or investigation — 'we'll see how it turns out'. Almost always used in the pattern 见分晓 or 看出分晓.

noun
outcomeresult (especially after a process or competition)clarityresolution (of a matter)

Examples

  • 。
    Bǐ sài de jié guǒ hěn kuài jiù néng jiàn fēn xiǎo.
    The result of the competition will be seen soon.
  • 分晓。
    Zhè jiàn shì de fēn xiǎo hái méi yǒu chū lái.
    The outcome of this matter has not come out yet.
  • ，分晓。
    Jīng guò diào chá, shì qing de fēn xiǎo zhōng yú qīng chǔ le.
    After investigation, the truth of the matter finally became clear.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

分fēndistinguish
晓xiǎounderstand

分 means distinguish, and 晓 means understand; together they express a clear outcome or understanding.

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 曉; 晓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
日日rìsun
Sound part声符shēngfú
堯
堯yáo曉xiǎo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 曉 puts 日, a sun, beside 堯, which gives the sound; the simplified 晓 is a shorthand and its right side is not that sound part.

Open 晓 →

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