呈献 (chéng xiàn) — to present respectfully, to offer as a tribute

Definition

A formal verb meaning 'to present respectfully' (a gift, performance, or results to a superior, audience, or organization). Stronger and more deferential than plain 送给 or 献给, which lack the sense of offering up with respect.

verb
to present respectfullyto offer as a tribute
Easily confused

Examples

  • 呈献。
    Tā xiàng guó wáng chéng xiàn le yí jiàn zhēn guì de lǐ wù.
    He presented a precious gift to the king.
  • 呈献。
    Yì shù jiā chéng xiàn le yì chǎng jīng cǎi de yǎn chū.
    The artist presented a wonderful performance.
  • 呈献。
    Dài biǎo tuán chéng xiàn le tā men de yán jiū chéng guǒ.
    The delegation presented their research results.

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.

呈chéngpresent
献xiànoffer

呈 means to present and 献 means to offer, so the result is to present respectfully.

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
𡈼
𡈼𡈼呈chéng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

呈 pairs 口 with a lower 𡈼 part: 口 points to the meaning, and 𡈼 gives the sound.

Open 呈 →

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 獻; 献 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犬犬quǎndog
Sound part声符shēngfú
鬳
鬳yàn獻xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 獻 combines 鬳, which gives the sound, with 犬, a dog. The simplified 献 is a later shorthand.

Open 献 →

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