按压 (àn yā) — to press down (physically); to apply pressure; to suppress; to shelve (matters) improperly

Definition

A verb for pressing down physically OR shelving/suppressing matters without proper justification. The figurative 'shelve' sense implies unjustified delay, distinct from 推迟 (neutral postpone).

verb
to press down (physically)to apply pressureto suppressto shelve (matters) improperly

Examples

  • 按压。
    Yī shēng yòng mián qiān qīng qīng àn yā shāng kǒu.
    The doctor gently pressed the wound with a cotton swab.
  • 按压。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù bèi shàng jí wú gù àn yā le liǎng zhōu.
    This project was shelved without reason by the superiors for two weeks.
  • 按压。
    Tā nǔ lì àn yā xīn zhōng de nù huǒ.
    She tried hard to suppress the anger in her heart.

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.

按ànpress
压yāpress

按 and 压 both express pressing, so the sense is pressing down or putting pressure on something.

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
安
安ān按àn
Same sound today

按 has 扌, the hand radical, and 安. The hand part points to an action done with the hand, while 安 supplies the sound and the idea of being at ease, linked to pressing down.

Open 按 →

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 壓; 压 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔdust
Sound part声符shēngfú
厭
厭yàn壓yā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 壓 is built from 土, dust, and 厭, which gives the sound; 压 is the simplified form of 壓.

Open 压 →

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