宅邸 (zhái dǐ) — mansion; stately residence (of a wealthy or hig…

Definition

A formal, written term for a large historic residence of a wealthy or high-ranking family — reads as grander and more literary than everyday 房子 or 家.

noun

mansionstately residence (of a wealthy or high-ranking person)

Measure word · 座

宅邸。
Zhè zuò gǔ lǎo de zhái dǐ yǐ yǒu sān bǎi duō nián lì shǐ.
This ancient mansion has a history of over three hundred years.
宅邸。
Tā zhù zài chéng jiāo yí zuò háo huá de zhái dǐ lǐ.
He lives in a luxurious mansion in the suburbs.
宅邸。
Cān guān zhè zuò zhái dǐ xū yào tí qián yù yuē.
Visiting this mansion requires an appointment in advance.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

邸dǐresidence

宅 and 邸 both refer to dwellings, so together they mean a grand residence.

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.

宀乇宅

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

乇

乇tuō宅zhái

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

In 宅, the 宀 part is a roof, and the 乇 part gives the sound.

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

⻏Written in full as邑yìsettlement

Sound part声符shēngfú

氐

氐dī邸dǐ

Same sound today

邸 pairs ⻏, a form of 邑 meaning settlement, with 氐 for its sound. It named a building where visiting lords stayed, hence a residence.

Appears in