在案 (zài àn) — (of documents, records, cases) to be on file, t… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Formal written phrase meaning a case, document, or record is officially on file — mainly used in legal, administrative, or bureaucratic contexts, not everyday speech.

verb

(of documents, records, cases) to be on fileto be recorded

Examples

在案。
zài àn De wén jiàn xū yào qiān zì.
The documents on file need to be signed.
在案。
Zhè ge àn jiàn yǐ jīng zài àn sān nián le.
This case has been on record for three years.
，。
Zhè ge àn jiàn yǐ jīng zài le àn, nǐ kě yǐ chá kàn.
This case has been put on file; you can check it.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

案àncase/file

在 gives being at and 案 gives the file, meaning on record.

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.

才才cái
士士shì

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木安案

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

安

安ān案àn

Same sound today

案 pairs 木, a wood/tree shape, with 安, which is used for its sound.

Appears in

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