周期表 (zhōu qī biǎo) — periodic table

Definition

noun

periodic table

，周期表。
Huà xué kè shàng, lǎo shī ràng wǒ men jì zhù zhōu qī biǎo.
In chemistry class, the teacher asked us to memorize the periodic table.
周期表。
zhōu qī biǎo Àn zhào yuán zǐ xù shù pái liè.
The periodic table is arranged by atomic number.
周期表。
Kē xué jiā yòng zhōu qī biǎo lái yù cè xīn yuán sù de xìng zhì.
Scientists use the periodic table to predict the properties of new elements.

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.

周期cycle period

偏正Modifier + head

周期 names a repeating cycle, and 表 is a table laid out by that cycle.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The oldest form of 周 drew a jade artifact with carved patterns. It was later borrowed for a place name, so an extra mark was added to distinguish it.

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

其

Same sound today

The original form paired 其 for its sound with 日 (sun). A related form changed that sun to 月, and this later developed into 期.

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

The shape 表 pairs 衣 (garment) with 毛 (hair or feather), originally an outer garment.

Appears in