听写 (tīng xiě) — (verb) to dictate (for students to transcribe), to give a dictation exercise

Definition

A classroom activity where the teacher reads words aloud and students write them down. Equivalent to 'dictation' in English, always tied to a learning context (not general 'dictate' to a secretary).

verb
to dictate (for students to transcribe)to give a dictation exercise

Examples

  • 听写。
    Lǎo shī měi tiān gěi xué shēng men tīng xiě cí yǔ.
    The teacher dictates vocabulary to the students every day.
  • 听写。
    Lǎo shī tīng xiě de cí yǔ hěn nán.
    The words the teacher dictates are very difficult.
  • 听写？？
    Nǐ tīng xiě wán le ma? xiě cuò le jǐ gè zì?
    Have you finished the dictation? How many characters did you get wrong?

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.

听tīnglisten
写xiěwrite

听写 pairs 听, listening, with 写, writing, as in dictation.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 聽; 听 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 聽 has 耳 (ear) and 口 (mouth), used for listening; the simplified 听 is a later shortened form unrelated to that picture.

Open 听 →

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 寫; 写 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
舄
舄xì寫xiě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 寫 combines 宀 with 舄 for the sound; this note is about 寫, not the simplified 写.

Open 写 →

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