射程 (shè chéng) — range (of a weapon or projectile) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'shoot distance' — the range a weapon or projectile can reach. In 3, the figurative sense (sphere of influence, like 'within/beyond my range') is a high-level extension of the core military meaning.

noun

range (of a weapon or projectile)

Examples

射程。
Zhè zhǒng dǎo dàn de shè chéng hěn yuǎn.
This type of missile has a long range.
射程。
Dí rén de huǒ lì bú zài wǒ men de shè chéng zhī nèi.
The enemy's fire is not within our range.
射程。
Tā de yǐng xiǎng lì yǐ jīng chāo chū le wǒ de shè chéng.
His influence has already exceeded my range.

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.

射shèshooting

程chéngdistance

射 'shooting' with 程 'distance' gives the range of fire.

Characters in this word

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

弓弓gōngbow
矢矢shǐarrow

In 射, the left part comes from 弓 (bow) and 矢 (arrow), and the right part comes from a hand drawing the bowstring.

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

禾呈程

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hégrain

Sound part声符shēngfú

呈

呈chéng程chéng

Same sound today

程 is made from 禾 (grain) and 呈 (pronounced chéng); the evidence gives measurements.

Appears in

Military & Defense

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