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可取 (kě qǔ) — desirable; worth having

Definition

Used to judge whether an approach, suggestion, or practice is worth adopting — a value judgement, not a description of the thing itself. Negate with 不 to mean 'not advisable'.

adjective
desirableworth having

Examples

  • 可取。
    Tā de jiàn yì hěn kě qǔ.
    His suggestion is worth adopting.
  • 可取。
    Zhè ge fāng àn yǒu kě qǔ zhī chù.
    This plan has its merits.
  • 。
    Zhè zhǒng zuò fǎ bù kě qǔ.
    This kind of practice is not advisable.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěworthy
取qǔtake

“可” conveys worthiness and “取” means take, so the word describes something worth taking.

Characters in this word

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
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

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

取 pairs 又 (hand) with 耳 (ear), showing a hand taking an ear, as in taking the ear of fallen prey.

Open 取 →
Appears in
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