处理 (chǔ lǐ) — to handle, to deal with (a problem, matter, sit…

Definition

处理 means 'to handle / deal with / process' — broad and neutral, covering problems, data, and goods. Compared to 处置, it focuses on working through something, not punishing.

verb

to handleto deal with (a problem, matter, situation)to processto treat (data, materials, goods)

Examples

处理。
Jīng lǐ zhèng zài chǔ lǐ yí gè jǐn jí de kè hù tóu sù.
The manager is handling an urgent customer complaint.
处理。
Zhè tái diàn nǎo kě yǐ hěn kuài chǔ lǐ dà liàng shù jù.
This computer can process large amounts of data quickly.
处理。
Zhè xiē wén jiàn xū yào míng tiān zhī qián chǔ lǐ wán.
These documents need to be processed by tomorrow.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

处chùhandle

理lǐmanage

处 = handle, 理 = manage; together they mean to deal with or process.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 處; 处 is its simplified writing.

虍夂几處

Meaning part形符xíngfú

夂夂zhǐ

几几jǐtable

Sound part声符shēngfú

虍

虍hū處chǔ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 處 pairs 虍, giving the sound, with 夂 and 几, a table, as meaning parts. The simplified 处 is a shorthand and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 处 →

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

玉玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

里lǐ理lǐ

Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Open 理 →

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 5 HSK 2.0 Level 5 1000 Most Frequent Chinese Words Abstract Concepts 2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words 3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words