子粒 (zǐ lì) — seed; grain; kernel

Definition

noun
seedgrainkernel
Measure word · 颗

Examples

  • 子粒,。
    Zhè xiē zǐ lì fēi cháng bǎo mǎn, shì hé bō zhòng.
    These seeds are very plump and suitable for sowing.
  • 。
    Nóng mín bǎ zǐ lì shài gān hòu chǔ cún qǐ lái.
    The farmers dried the grains in the sun and then stored them.
  • 子粒。
    Zhè zhǒng zhí wù de zǐ lì kě yǐ zhà yóu.
    The kernels of this plant can be pressed for oil.

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.

子zǐseed
粒lìgrain

子 (seed) and 粒 (grain) combine to mean seeds or kernels.

Characters in this word

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
立
立lì粒lì
Same sound today

粒 pairs 米 (rice) with 立, which gives its pronunciation.

Open 粒 →

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