Definition
息 is a bound morpheme (b.f.) in modern Mandarin — it cannot stand alone as an independent word, but it appears at the end of common compounds: 休息 (xiūxi, 'rest'), 消息 (xiāoxi, 'news/message'), 利息 (lìxī, 'financial interest'), and 叹息 (tànxī, 'sigh'). Each compound shifts the sense. An archaic/literary meaning also covers 'to grow, multiply' and 'children' (子息 zǐxī, 'children/offspring').
b.f.
(bound form) restto cease(bound form) breath(bound form) newsinformationinterest
Examples
- ，。Nǐ gōngzuò tài lèi le, hǎohāo xīū xī yíxià.You're too tired from work; get some good rest.
- 。Wǒ gāng kàn dào nǐ fā de xīāo xī.I just saw the message you sent.
- 。Cúnkuǎn de lì xī yuè lái yuè dī le.The interest rate on deposits is getting lower and lower.
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