子系统 (zǐ xì tǒng) — subsystem

Definition

noun
subsystem

Examples

  • 子系统。
    Zhè ge zǐ xì tǒng fù zé chǔ lǐ suǒ yǒu yòng hù shù jù.
    This subsystem is responsible for processing all user data.
  • ，子系统。
    Xì tǒng shēng jí hòu, xīn de zǐ xì tǒng yùn xíng dé hěn wěn dìng.
    After the system upgrade, the new subsystem runs very stably.
  • 子系统。
    Gōng chéng shī zhèng zài cè shì yí gè dú lì de zǐ xì tǒng.
    The engineer is testing an independent subsystem.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

子zǐsub-
系统system
系xìlink统tǒngunify
联合Side by side

子 (sub-) and 系统 (system) combine to mean a smaller system within a larger one.

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 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

系 is made by putting together 手 (hand) and 糸 (silk).

Open 系 →

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 統; 统 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
充
充chōng統tǒng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 統 uses 糸 as a meaning part and 充 as a sound part; the simplified 统 is a later shorthand, so this story is about 統, not about 统's parts.

Open 统 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.