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底细 (dǐ xì) — inside details, background (of a person or matter)

Definition

底细 (dǐxì) means the hidden background or behind-the-scenes details of a person or matter — usually things not obvious to outsiders. Often used with 了解, 调查, or 摸清.

noun
inside detailsbackground (of a person or matter)

Examples

  • 底细。
    Jǐng chá zhèng zài diào chá zhè ge rén de dǐ xì.
    The police are investigating this person's background.
  • ，底细。
    Nǐ bié bèi piàn le, xiān liǎo jiě yí xià tā de dǐ xì.
    Don't be fooled; first find out his background.
  • 底细。
    Zhè jiàn shì de dǐ xì zhǐ yǒu shǎo shù rén zhī dào.
    Only a few people know the inside details of this matter.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

底dǐbottom
细xìfine details

底 and 细 combine to mean the underlying and fine points of a matter.

Characters in this word

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
广广guǎngbuilding
Sound part声符shēngfú
氐
氐dī底dǐ
Same sound today

底 pairs 广 (building) with 氐, pointing to the bottom or foundation of a building. Some read 氐 as a bowing figure or tree root, adding a sense of 'down'.

Open 底 →

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 細; 细 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
囟
囟xìn細xì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 細 pairs 糸, silk or thread, with 囟 for the sound. The simplified 细 is a later shorthand, and the old right part changed shape.

Open 细 →
Appears in
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