动植物 (dòng zhí wù) — flora and fauna; plants and animals; living thi… | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

flora and faunaplants and animalsliving things

Examples

动植物。
Zhè piàn sēn lín lǐ de dòng zhí wù zhǒng lèi fēi cháng fēng fù.
The variety of flora and fauna in this forest is very rich.
动植物。
Bǎo hù dòng zhí wù de duō yàng xìng duì shēng tài píng héng hěn zhòng yào.
Protecting the diversity of plants and animals is important for ecological balance.
动植物。
Zhè běn shū jiè shào le fēi zhōu de dòng zhí wù.
This book introduces the flora and fauna of Africa.

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.

植物plant

植zhíplant物wùthing

偏正Modifier + head

动 names animal life, and 植物 names plants; together they cover animals and plants.

Characters in this word

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 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

重力動

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

重

重zhòng動dòng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

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

木直植

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

直

直zhí植zhí

Same sound today

植 is made from 木, a tree, and 直, which gives the sound.

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

牛勿物

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

勿

勿wù物wù

Same sound today

物 puts 牛 beside 勿: 牛 gives the meaning, and 勿 gives the sound.

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