宝座 (bǎo zuò) — throne | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'treasure seat' — the throne of a monarch or supreme ruler. Figuratively, it can mean the top position in any field (e.g., the 'throne' of an industry).

noun

throne

Measure word · 座

Examples

宝座。
Guó wáng zuò zài jīn sè de bǎo zuò shàng.
The king sat on the golden throne.
宝座。
Zhè jiā gōng sī yì zhí zài zhēng duó háng yè de bǎo zuò.
This company has been vying for the throne of the industry.
，宝座。
Zài lì shǐ jù zhōng, bǎo zuò xiàng zhēng zhe zhì gāo wú shàng de quán lì.
In historical dramas, the throne symbolizes supreme power.

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.

宝bǎoprecious

宝 (precious) describes 座 (seat), a valuable seat of power.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 寶; 宝 is its simplified writing.

宀宀miánhouse
琡琡chùjade
貝貝bèicowry

The traditional form 寶 shows 宀 (house), 琡 (jade), and 貝 (cowry), drawn together as treasures in a house.

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

广坐座

Meaning part形符xíngfú

广广guǎnghouse on cliff

Sound part声符shēngfú

坐

坐zuò座zuò

Same sound today

座 pairs 广, a house on a cliff, with 坐 to give the sound.

Appears in

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