Definition
川 is a bound form (b.f.) that cannot stand alone as a word — it appears in compounds. Its main senses are 'river' or 'stream' (e.g. 山川 'mountains and rivers'), 'plain' (e.g. 平川 'flat plain'), and most commonly as the abbreviation for Sichuan Province in terms like 四川, 川菜, and 川剧. Knowing these three uses helps you decode a wide range of geographical and cultural compounds.
b.f.
riverstream (bound form, in compounds)plain (bound form, in compounds like 平川)abbreviation for Sichuan Province (bound form, in names and compounds)
Examples
- 。Zhèlǐ de shān chuān jǐngsè fēicháng měilì.The mountains and rivers here are very beautiful.
- 。Wǒ tèbié xǐhuan chī chuān cài.I especially like eating Sichuan cuisine.
- 。Kēxuéjiā zài yánjiū bīng chuān de biànhuà.Scientists are studying the changes in glaciers.
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