宇宙空间 (yǔ zhòu kōng jiān) — outer space

Definition

noun

outer space

Examples

宇宙空间。
Rén lèi zhèng zài tàn suǒ gèng yuǎn de yǔ zhòu kōng jiān.
Humanity is exploring farther outer space.
宇宙空间。
yǔ zhòu kōng jiān Zhōng méi yǒu rèn hé kōng qì.
There is no air in outer space.
宇宙空间。
Tā men zài yǔ zhòu kōng jiān lǐ zuò kē xué shí yàn.
They conduct scientific experiments in outer space.

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.

宇宙universe

宇yǔspace宙zhòutime

联合Side by side

空间space

空kōngspace间jiāninterval

联合Side by side

宇 and 宙 form universe, while 空 and 间 form space.

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.

宀于宇

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánhouse

Sound part声符shēngfú

于

于yú宇yǔ

Same sound today

宇 pairs 宀, a roof-like shape connected with house parts such as eaves, with 于, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 宇 →

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

宀由宙

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

由

由yóu宙zhòu

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

宙 combines 宀 (roof) with 由, which gives the sound. The reference says it originally meant the farthest place accessible by boat or vehicle and later vast space.

Open 宙 →

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

穴工空

Meaning part形符xíngfú

穴穴xuécave, hole

Sound part声符shēngfú

工

工gōng空kōng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Open 空 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.