图谱 (tú pǔ) — atlas; collection of charts or diagrams

Definition

图谱 is a bound reference book of systematically arranged charts, plates, or diagrams on a single subject (botanical, medical, historical). Use it for a pictorial reference work, not a general 地图-style map.

noun
atlascollection of charts or diagrams
Measure word · 本

Examples

  • 图谱。
    Zhè běn yī xué tú pǔ hěn xiáng xì.
    This medical atlas is very detailed.
  • 图谱。
    Tú shū guǎn lǐ yǒu yì běn zhí wù tú pǔ.
    There is a botanical atlas in the library.
  • 图谱。
    Tā zhèng zài kàn yì fú zhōng guó lì shǐ tú pǔ.
    He is looking at a Chinese historical atlas.

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.

图túdiagram
谱pǔtable

“图” diagrams and “谱” tables together mean an atlas or collection of charts.

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 圖; 图 is its simplified writing.

  • 囗囗wéiwalled city
  • 啚啚bǐ

The traditional form 圖 pairs 囗, a walled city, with 啚, an early form meaning remote areas or territory. The simplified 图 is a later abbreviation.

Open 图 →

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 譜; 谱 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsound
Sound part声符shēngfú
普
普pǔ譜pǔ(r)
Same sound today

In the traditional form 譜, 言 relates to sound and 普 gives the pronunciation; this explanation is about 譜, not the simplified 谱.

Open 谱 →
Appears in
Science (General)

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