拉锁 (lā suǒ) — zipper | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

zipper

Measure word · 条

拉锁，。
Zhè ge lā suǒ huài le, dé huàn yí gè xīn de.
This zipper is broken; we need to replace it with a new one.
拉锁。
Tā yī fu shàng de lā suǒ shì jīn sè de.
The zipper on her clothes is gold-colored.
拉锁，。
Bǎ lā suǒ lā shàng qù, bié zháo liáng le.
Zip up the zipper so you don't catch a cold.

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.

拉 describes pulling action, and 锁 means lock, giving the sense of a pull-lock, a zipper.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

立

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

拉 pairs 手 (hand) with 立, a component that supplies the sound.

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 鎖; 锁 is its simplified writing.

金𧴪鎖

Meaning part形符xíngfú

金金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

𧴪

𧴪𧴪鎖suǒ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鎖 pairs 金 (metal) with a sound component, 𧴪; the simplified 锁 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the original parts.

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