微生物 (wēi shēng wù) — microorganism

Definition

noun

microorganism

Measure word · 种

Examples

微生物。
Xǐ shǒu kě yǐ qīng chú shǒu shàng de wēi shēng wù.
Washing hands can remove microorganisms on the hands.
微生物。
Kē xué jiā yòng xiǎn wēi jìng guān chá wēi shēng wù.
Scientists observe microorganisms with a microscope.
微生物。
Suān nǎi lǐ hán yǒu yǒu yì de wēi shēng wù.
Yogurt contains beneficial microorganisms.

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.

微wēitiny

生物living thing

生shēngliving物wùthing

偏正Modifier + head

微 modifies 生物 to mean tiny living things.

Characters in this word

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

𡵂攵微

𡵂美měi
攵攴pūhand with tool

The old form showed 𡵂 (a variant of 美, a person with long hair) and 攵 (a hand with a tool) splitting or combing hairs, hence minute; 微 later added 彳 to emphasize action.

Open 微 →

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