十字架 (shí zì jià) — cross (Christian symbol); (figurative) a heavy…

Definition

Literally 'cross-frame': the Christian cross, including a crucifix with a figure on it. Figuratively, it means a heavy burden or suffering one must endure (e.g., "everyone has their own cross to bear").

noun

cross (Christian symbol)(figurative) a heavy burden or suffering one must bear

Measure word · 个

Examples

十字架。
Jiào táng de zhèng qián fāng guà zhe yí gè shí zì jià.
A cross hangs at the front of the church.
十字架。
Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zì jǐ de shí zì jià yào bēi fù.
Everyone has their own cross to bear.
十字架，。
Zhè ge shí zì jià shì mù tou de, shàng miàn méi yǒu diāo xiàng.
This cross is made of wood and has no statue on it.

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.

十字cross shape

十shíten字zìcharacter

偏正Modifier + head

架jiàframe

十字架 is a 架 shaped like the 十字, the character for ten.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early shape 十 was mostly a single vertical stroke, sometimes with a dot, and later gained a horizontal stroke to form a cross. For the number ten, it marked the next digit above one.

Open 十 →

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

宀子字

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

子

子zǐ字zì

Same sound today

字 pairs 宀 (roof) with 子 (child); 子 gives the sound, while 宀 relates to the meaning.

Open 字 →

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