对称 (duì chèn) — symmetrical | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

对称 describes mirror-image balance, like a face or shape split evenly down the middle. 均匀 is broader — even distribution of color, heat, or spacing, not left-right mirroring.

adjective

symmetrical

Examples

对称。
Zhè zhāng liǎn zuǒ yòu hěn duì chèn.
This face is very symmetrical left and right.
对称。
Shè jì shī zhuī qiú duì chèn de měi gǎn.
The designer pursues a sense of symmetrical beauty.
对称。
Zhè ge tú xíng bú shì wán quán duì chèn de.
This shape is not completely symmetrical.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

对duìmatch

称chēngbalance

Both '对' and '称' mean match or balance; together they denote sides that correspond evenly.

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 對; 对 is its simplified writing.

丵丵zhuótool for digging
土土tǔearth
又又yòuhand

For the traditional form 對, the shape comes from an early drawing of 丵 (a digging tool), 土 (earth), and 又 (a hand); it may have meant developing land.

Open 对 →

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 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

禾爯稱

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hérice

Sound part声符shēngfú

爯

爯chēng稱chēng

Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Open 称 →