分类法 (fēn lèi fǎ) — classification method, taxonomy

Definition

noun
classification methodtaxonomy

Examples

  • 分类法。
    Zhè zhǒng fēn lèi fǎ guǎng fàn yìng yòng yú tú shū guǎn.
    This classification method is widely used in libraries.
  • 分类法。
    Shēng wù xué jiā yòng fēn lèi fǎ duì dòng wù jìn xíng fēn lèi.
    Biologists use a classification method to categorize animals.
  • 分类法。
    Zhè ge xīn de fēn lèi fǎ ràng shù jù guǎn lǐ gèng jiǎn dān.
    This new classification method makes data management easier.

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.

分类classify
分fēndivide类lèicategory
动宾Verb + object
法fǎmethod

'分' means divide, '类' means categories, and '法' means method; together they name a method of dividing into categories.

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 類; 类 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犬犬quǎn
Sound part声符shēngfú
頪
頪lèi類lèi
Same sound today

The traditional form 類 pairs 犬, which relates to the meaning, with 頪, which gives the sound. The simplified 类 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 类 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
廌廌zhìa type of antelope or caprid
Sound part声符shēngfú
盍
盍hé法fǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

法's older form combined 氵 (water) and 廌 (a type of antelope or caprid), with 盍 as a sound part; later 廌 was dropped.

Open 法 →

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