(xūn) — merit, meritorious service

Definition

A bound form meaning 'merit' or 'meritorious service,' used only in set terms like 勋章, 勋绩, 勋劳. It never stands alone.

bound form
meritmeritorious service

Examples

  • Tā yīn wèi yīng yǒng huò dé le yì méi xūn zhāng.
    He received a medal for his bravery.
  • Zhè wèi jiāng jūn de xūn láo yǒng yuǎn bèi rén mín jì zhù.
    This general's meritorious service will forever be remembered by the people.
  • Tā de xūn jì ràng hòu rén jìng pèi.
    His achievements inspire admiration in later generations.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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 勳; 勋 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
xūnxūn
Same sound today

The traditional form 勳 uses 力 (strength) for meaning and 熏 for sound; the simplified 勋 is a later shorthand.

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