推导 (tuī dǎo) — to derive, to deduce (in logical or mathematical reasoning)

Definition

推导 (tuīdǎo) means 'to derive / deduce' — working step by step from premises or formulas to a conclusion, used in math, logic, and scientific reasoning.

verb
to deriveto deduce (in logical or mathematical reasoning)
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，推导。
    Gēn jù zhè xiē gōng shì, wǒ men kě yǐ tuī dǎo chū zuì zhōng de jié guǒ.
    Based on these formulas, we can deduce the final result.
  • 推导。
    Zhè ge wèn tí xū yào yí bù bù dì tuī dǎo.
    This problem requires step-by-step derivation.
  • 推导。
    Tā cóng jī běn jiǎ shè zhōng tuī dǎo chū le xīn de lǐ lùn.
    He derived a new theory from basic assumptions.

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.

推tuīreason
导dǎoguide

推 “reason” and 导 “guide” combine to mean working out a conclusion step by step.

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shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
隹
隹zhuī推tuī
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left side 扌 is a hand, and the right side 隹 gives the sound; the character shows pushing with the hand.

Open 推 →

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 導; 导 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
寸寸cùnhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
道
道dào導
Same sound today

The traditional form 導 pairs 道 (path) as the sound part with 寸 (hand), giving the sense of leading someone. The simplified 导 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 导 →

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