实验鼠 (shí yàn shǔ) — laboratory mouse

Definition

noun
laboratory mouse
Measure word · 只

Examples

  • 实验鼠。
    Kē xué jiā yòng shí yàn shǔ jìn xíng jī yīn yán jiū.
    Scientists use laboratory mice for genetic research.
  • 实验鼠。
    Zhè xiē shí yàn shǔ bèi zhù shè le xīn de yào wù.
    These lab mice were injected with a new drug.
  • 实验鼠。
    Měi yì zhī shí yàn shǔ dōu jīng guò yán gé de shāi xuǎn.
    Every lab mouse undergoes strict screening.

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
鼠shǔmouse

实验 (experiment) + 鼠 (mouse), a mouse used in experiments.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 鼠 pictures a rat: the upper part looks like an open mouth with teeth, while the lower part shows two feet on the left and a tail on the right.

Open 鼠 →

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