存在 (cún zài) — to exist | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

存在 is a formal, abstract 'to exist' — often used in written or philosophical contexts, and pairs naturally with 根本 to deny existence. 生存 focuses on living/surviving; 存 alone leans toward 'store/deposit'.

verb

to exist

Examples

存在。
Zhè ge chéng shì cún zài hěn duō gǔ lǎo de jiàn zhù.
This city has many ancient buildings.
存在。
Wǒ men zhī jiān cún zài yì xiē wù huì.
There are some misunderstandings between us.
存在。
Zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng gēn běn bù cún zài.
This kind of situation simply does not exist.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

存 and 在 both express being or existing, so together they mean existence.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

才

才cái存cún

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

存 pairs 子 with 才, which was used for the sound.

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.

Appears in

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