名胜古迹 (míng shèng gǔ jì) — scenic spots and historic sites; places of historical interest and natural beauty

Definition

A set phrase for 'famous scenic spots and historic sites' — places valued for both natural beauty (名胜) and cultural or historical significance (古迹), often tourist destinations.

idiom
scenic spots and historic sitesplaces of historical interest and natural beauty

Examples

  • 名胜古迹，。
    Běi jīng yǒu hěn duō míng shèng gǔ jì, měi nián xī yǐn dà liàng yóu kè.
    Beijing has many scenic spots and historic sites, attracting a large number of tourists every year.
  • 名胜古迹。
    Zhè ge chéng shì yǐ míng shèng gǔ jì wén míng shì jiè.
    This city is world-famous for its scenic spots and historic sites.
  • 名胜古迹。
    Wǒ men qù cān guān le sān chù zhù míng de míng shèng gǔ jì.
    We visited three famous scenic spots and historic sites.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

名胜famous scenic places
名míngfamous胜shèngscenic spot
偏正Modifier + head
古迹ancient sites
古gǔancient迹jìremains
偏正Modifier + head

名胜 are famous scenic places and 古迹 are ancient sites, together scenic and historic spots.

Characters in this word

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

名 puts 夕 (crescent moon) above 口 (mouth), showing a name spoken in the dark.

Open 名 →

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
肉肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng胜shèng
Same sound today

The simplified 胜 changes the traditional 勝 by replacing part of its sound side with 生; the left 肉 relates to meat.

Open 胜 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

One reading of 古 sees a shield-like shape above an open mark, showing strength and firmness. Another sees a person spitting out bad-tasting food.

Open 古 →

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
辶Written in full as辵chuòmove
Sound part声符shēngfú
朿
朿cì迹jì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

迹 pairs 辶, a movement part, with 亦, a sound part; an older form used 朿.

Open 迹 →

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