原子结构 (yuán zǐ jié gòu) — atomic structure

Definition

noun
atomic structure

Examples

  • 原子结构。
    yuán zǐ jié gòu Shì huà xué yán jiū de jī chǔ.
    Atomic structure is the foundation of chemical research.
  • 原子结构。
    Kē xué jiā yòng xiān jìn yí qì guān chá yuán zǐ jié gòu.
    Scientists use advanced instruments to observe atomic structures.
  • 原子结构。
    Liǎo jiě yuán zǐ jié gòu duì wǒ men lǐ jiě wù zhì shì jiè hěn yǒu bāng zhù.
    Understanding atomic structure is very helpful for us to understand the material world.

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.

原子atom
原yuánoriginal子zǐparticle
偏正Modifier + head
结构structure
结jiéform构gòubuild
联合Side by side

原子 (atom) specifies the kind of 结构 (structure), giving atomic structure.

Characters in this word

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

原 combines 泉 (spring) and 厂 (cliff), picturing a spring bursting from a cliff-side, which gives the sense of origin or source.

Open 原 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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 結; 结 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
吉
吉jí結jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 結 pairs 糸 with 吉; 吉 gives the sound, and 糸 relates to the meaning. The simplified 结 is a later shorthand.

Open 结 →

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
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
勾
勾gōu构gòu
Same sound today

构 combines 木 (wood) with 勾, which gives the sound.

Open 构 →

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