可谓 (kě wèi) — it can be said that…, one could call it… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

可谓 is a formal written verb meaning 'it can be said that…' or 'one could call it…'. Similar in register to 堪称, but 堪称 implies high praise ('a worthy…'), while 可谓 is more neutral and simply frames a description.

verb

it can be said that…one could call it…

Examples

可谓。
Tā de zhī shi kě wèi yuān bó.
His knowledge can be described as profound.
可谓。
Zhè zuò chéng shì de yè jǐng kě wèi měi bù kě wèi shōu.
The night scenery of this city can be said to be too beautiful to take in.
可谓。
Zhè bù diàn yǐng kě wèi jīng diǎn zhī zuò.
This movie can be called a classic work.

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.

可 means can and 谓 means say, together giving it can be said.

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

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.

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 謂; 谓 is its simplified writing.

言胃謂

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

胃

胃wèi謂wèi

Same sound today

The traditional form 謂 pairs 言, which marks speech, with 胃 as a sound component; the simplified 谓 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Communication & Speech

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