抄录 (chāo lù) — to make a copy of (a text or document), to transcribe

Definition

抄录 is a formal written verb for transcribing or copying a text word-for-word, more literary than everyday 抄 (to copy). Common in academic, archival, or official contexts.

verb
to make a copy of (a text or document)to transcribe

Examples

  • 抄录。
    Tā bǎ nà piān wén zhāng chāo lù le xià lái.
    He made a copy of that article.
  • 抄录。
    Zhè fèn wén jiàn xū yào zǐ xì chāo lù.
    This document needs to be carefully transcribed.
  • 抄录。
    Tú shū guǎn yǔn xǔ dú zhě chāo lù bù fen nèi róng.
    The library allows readers to copy part of the content.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

抄chāocopy
录lùrecord

抄 means to copy, and 录 means to record; together they describe transcribing.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
少
少shǎo抄chāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

抄 combines 扌 (hand) with 少, which supplies the sound.

Open 抄 →

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 錄; 录 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīnmetal
Sound part声符shēngfú
彔
彔lù錄lù
Same sound today

The traditional form 錄 combines 金 (metal) with 彔, which gives the sound; the simplified 录 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 录 →

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