口授 (kǒu shòu) — to dictate (say something for someone else to write down); to instruct orally

Definition

A formal, written-style verb for oral transmission — either dictating text for someone to write down, or passing on knowledge/skill purely by speaking. Often paired with 口述 (the speaker's side) and 记录/笔录 (the writer's side).

verb
to dictate (say something for someone else to write down)to instruct orally

Examples

  • 口授。
    Lǎo shī xiàng xué shēng kǒu shòu le jǐ tiáo zhòng yào de xué xí fāng fǎ.
    The teacher orally taught the students a few important study methods.
  • ，口授。
    Tā kǒu shù le yì fēng xìn, mì shū zài páng biān kǒu shòu.
    He dictated a letter while the secretary took it down.
  • ，口授。
    Zhè mén jì yì méi yǒu jiào cái, quán kào shī fu kǒu shòu.
    This craft has no textbook; it relies entirely on the master's oral instruction.

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.

口kǒumouth
授shòugive instructions

口 is the mouth, and 授 is giving instructions, so the action is done by speaking.

Characters in this word

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

The form 口 looks like an open mouth.

Open 口 →

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
受
受shòu授shòu
Same sound today

授 is built from 手 and 受. 受 gives the sound, and 手 is a hand.

Open 授 →

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