推演 (tuī yǎn) — to deduce, to infer (through systematic reasoning); to simulate, to conduct a simulation (of a process or scenario)

Definition

A formal/academic verb for working out a conclusion or scenario by structured reasoning. It covers both deducing a hidden fact from evidence and running a simulation of future possibilities.

verb
to deduceto infer (through systematic reasoning)to simulateto conduct a simulation (of a process or scenario)

Examples

  • 推演。
    Kē xué jiā tōng guò shí yàn shù jù lái tuī yǎn xīn de lǐ lùn.
    Scientists deduce new theories from experimental data.
  • 推演。
    Zhǐ huī guān zài shā pán shàng tuī yǎn le zhè cì zhàn yì de duō zhǒng kě néng fāng àn.
    The commander simulated multiple possible plans for this battle on the sand table.
  • 推演。
    Lì shǐ xué jiā cóng zhè xiē wén xiàn zhōng tuī yǎn chū le dāng shí de shè huì jié gòu.
    Historians deduced the social structure of that time from these documents.

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/push
演yǎnunfold

“推” is to reason or push forward, and “演” is to unfold, so it means to work out a result.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
寅
寅yín演yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

演 pairs 氵 (water) with 寅, which gives the sound yín.

Open 演 →

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