处理机 (chǔ lǐ jī) — processor (computer or data processing machine)

Definition

noun

processor (computer or data processing machine)

Measure word · 台

Examples

处理机。
Zhè tái chǔ lǐ jī sù dù hěn kuài.
This processor is very fast.
处理机。
chǔ lǐ jī Shì diàn nǎo de hé xīn bù jiàn.
The processor is the core component of a computer.
处理机。
Xīn chǔ lǐ jī bǐ jiù de gèng gāo xiào.
The new processor is more efficient than the old one.

Origin

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.

处理handle and manage

处chùhandle理lǐmanage

联合Side by side

机jīmachine

处理机 combines 处理 handle and manage with 机 machine, naming a processing machine.

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 →

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

木几机