搅混 (jiǎo hun) — to mix; to blend (liquids or loose materials); to stir up; to deliberately create confusion (in a situation, discussion, etc.)

Definition

Literally 'stir and blend', used both for mixing liquids/materials and figuratively for muddying an issue or discussion. Pairs naturally with 把 to mark the thing being stirred up.

verb
to mixto blend (liquids or loose materials)to stir upto deliberately create confusion (in a situation, discussion, etc.)

Examples

  • 搅混。
    Tā bǎ yán liào jiǎo hun zài yì qǐ le.
    He mixed the paints together.
  • 搅混，。
    Bié bǎ shuǐ jiǎo hun le, zhè yàng jiù bù qīng le.
    Don't stir up the water, or it won't be clear.
  • 搅混，。
    Tā zài huì shàng gù yì jiǎo hun yì tí, ràng dà jiā wú fǎ tǎo lùn.
    He deliberately muddied the agenda at the meeting, making it impossible for everyone to discuss.

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.

搅jiǎostir
混hùnmix/confuse

搅 'stir' and 混 'mix/confuse' are two actions done together: stirring and mixing, which can make a situation disorderly or confused.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 攪; 搅 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
覺
覺jué攪jiǎo
Same sound today

The traditional form 攪 uses 扌 (hand) to show the action and 覺 for its sound; the simplified 搅 is a later shorthand.

Open 搅 →

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
昆
昆kūn混hùn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

混 pairs 氵 (water) on the left with 昆 on the right, which supplies the sound.

Open 混 →

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