所 (suǒ) — (particle) used before verbs to form noun phrases (所 + verb + 的); also in 有所 and 为...所...
Definition
所 (suǒ) is a structural particle that turns a verb into a noun phrase (所 + verb + 的) or marks the agent in a passive (为/被…所…). It has no meaning on its own — never translate it as 'actually' or 'place' (those belong to other 所 rows).
particle
used before verbs to form noun phrases (所 + verb + 的)also in 有所 and 为...所...
Easily confused
Examples
- 所。Zhè shì wǒ suǒ xū yào de dōng xī.This is something I need.
- ，。Tīng le dà jiā de jiàn yì, tā yǒu suǒ gǎi biàn.After listening to everyone's suggestions, he changed somewhat.
- 所。Zhè wèi zuò jiā wèi dú zhě suǒ xǐ ài.This writer is loved by readers.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
戶
戶hù所suǒ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.
Appears in
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