加固 (jiā gù) — to reinforce; to consolidate

Definition

A formal/written verb for strengthening a physical structure (a bridge, wall, roof) so it holds more weight or resists damage. Compare 加强, which applies more broadly to abstract or non-physical things like efforts or ties.

verb
to reinforceto consolidate

Examples

  • 加固，。
    Zhè zuò qiáo xū yào jiā gù, cái néng chéng shòu gèng dà de zhòng liàng.
    This bridge needs to be reinforced to bear greater weight.
  • 加固。
    Gōng chéng shī jué dìng yòng gāng bǎn jiā gù qiáng tǐ.
    The engineer decided to reinforce the wall with steel plates.
  • ，加固。
    Wèi le yìng duì tái fēng, tā men jiā gù le wū dǐng.
    To prepare for the typhoon, they reinforced the roof.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

加jiāadd
固gùfirm

加 means to add or increase and 固 means firm or solid, so together they mean making something stronger.

Characters in this word

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

加 pairs 力 and 口. In one explanation 力 is strength and 口 is the mouth, meaning exaggeration; in another 力 is plowing effort and 口 is breath or exclamation, meaning extra effort.

Open 加 →

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
囗囗wéi
Sound part声符shēngfú
古
古gǔ固gù
Same sound today

固 combines 囗, which relates to the meaning, with 古, which gives the sound.

Open 固 →

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