受精 (shòu jīng) — to be fertilized, to be impregnated

Definition

受精 is a separable verb (离合词) that combines 受 'to receive' and 精 'essence/sperm', meaning 'to be fertilized' — used for biological fertilization of eggs, ovum, or plants. As a 离合词, aspect markers (了, 过) or measure words can split the two parts, for example 受了一次精 (was fertilized once) or 受了精 (has been fertilized). You'll commonly see it in compounds like 人工受精 (artificial insemination) and 试管受精 (in vitro fertilization).

v.o.

to be fertilizedto be impregnated

Examples

受精，。
Zhè kē jīdàn yǐjīng shòu jīng le, kěyǐ fū xiǎo jī.
This egg has been fertilized and can hatch chicks.
，。
Zhège xìbāo yǐjīng shòu le jīng, zhèngzài fēnliè.
This cell has been fertilized and is dividing.
受精。
Shìguǎn shòu jīng jìshù bāngzhù le xǔduō bùyùn de fūfù.
In vitro fertilization technology has helped many infertile couples.

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