TongTong
Sign in

实验室 (shí yàn shì) — laboratory

Definition

实验室 is the place where 实验 (experiments) are done — a 'laboratory' or 'lab'. Use 实验 for the activity itself; 实验室 is the room.

noun
laboratory
Measure word · 间

Examples

  • 实验室。
    Zhè jiān shí yàn shì yǒu zuì xīn de yí qì.
    This laboratory has the latest equipment.
  • 实验室。
    Tā zài shí yàn shì lǐ gōng zuò le yì zhěng tiān.
    He worked in the lab all day.
  • 实验室。
    Xué shēng měi zhōu qù sān cì shí yàn shì.
    Students go to the lab three times a week.

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.

实验experiment
实shíactual验yàntest
偏正Modifier + head
室shìroom

实验室 puts 实验 (experiment) in 室 (room), meaning laboratory.

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 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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 驗; 验 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
馬馬mǎ
Sound part声符shēngfú
僉
僉qiān驗yàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 驗 pairs 馬 (horse) with 僉 for sound; the simplified 验 is a later abbreviation.

Open 验 →

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
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
至
至zhì室shì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

室 puts 宀 (roof) over 至, the spot where someone stops, giving the meaning of a house or residence.

Open 室 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Science (General)2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.