可逆 (kě nì) — reversible (as a verb phrase: can be reversed)

Definition

Used in science (chemistry, physics) to describe a process that can run backward as well as forward — 'reversible'. Adjectival: it typically appears as 可逆的 modifying a noun.

verb
reversible (as a verb phrase: can be reversed)

Examples

  • 可逆。
    Zhè ge huà xué fǎn yìng shì kě nì de.
    This chemical reaction is reversible.
  • ，可逆。
    Zài lǐ xiǎng tiáo jiàn xià, zhè ge guò chéng shì kě nì de.
    Under ideal conditions, this process is reversible.
  • ，可逆。
    Zài wù lǐ xué zhōng, kě nì guò chéng shì yí gè zhòng yào gài niàn.
    In physics, a reversible process is an important concept.

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kěcan
逆nìreverse

可 gives 'can' and 逆 gives 'reverse', together meaning able to be reversed.

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.

  • 辶辵chuòmovement
  • 屰屰nìgo against

The 辶 part shows movement, and 屰 gives the sound and the sense of going against, so the whole depicts moving in the opposite direction.

Open 逆 →

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