分电器 (fēn diàn qì) — (automotive) distributor (part of an ignition s…

Definition

A distributor is an automotive ignition-system part that routes high-voltage current from the coil to each spark plug in the correct firing order.

noun

(automotive) distributor (part of an ignition system)

Measure word · 个

分电器。
Qì chē de diǎn huǒ xì tǒng xū yào fēn diàn qì cái néng zhèng cháng gōng zuò.
The car's ignition system needs a distributor to work properly.
分电器，。
Xiū lǐ gōng jiǎn chá le fēn diàn qì, fā xiàn yǐ jīng huài le.
The mechanic checked the distributor and found it was already broken.
分电器。
Zhè ge lǎo shì fā dòng jī de fēn diàn qì xū yào gēng huàn le.
The distributor in this old-style engine needs to be replaced.

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.

分电distribute electricity

分fēndistribute电diànelectricity

动宾Verb + object

A 器 for 分电, a device that distributes electricity.

Characters in this word

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

八刀分

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

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 電; 电 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

雨雨yǔrain

Sound part声符shēngfú

申

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For the traditional form 電, 雨 (rain) sits with 申, read shēn and meaning lightning.

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

The origin of 器 is uncertain; one traditional account reads the whole shape as a scene of guarding over four vessels.