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搭桥 (dā qiáo) — (verb-object) to build a bridge (physically); (verb-object) to act as a go-between / mediator

Definition

A verb-object phrase: literally 'build a bridge' (physical sense), or figuratively 'act as a go-between / help two sides connect'. The figurative sense is far more common in HSK 7 contexts like business or diplomacy.

verb
(verb-object) to build a bridge (physically)(verb-object) to act as a go-between / mediator

Examples

  • 搭桥。
    Gōng rén men zài hé shàng dā qiáo.
    Workers are building a bridge over the river.
  • ，。
    Tā gěi péng you dā le yí cì qiáo, jiè shào tā men rèn shi.
    She acted as a go-between for her friends once, introducing them.
  • 搭桥。
    Liǎng gè gōng sī hé zuò xū yào yǒu rén dā qiáo.
    For two companies to cooperate, someone needs to bridge the gap.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

搭dābuild
桥qiáobridge

“搭” means to build or put up and “桥” means bridge, so the word connects people like a bridge.

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
荅
荅dá搭dā
Same sound today

搭 is built from 扌, a hand, and 荅, which gives the sound. The hand part points to actions done with the hand.

Open 搭 →

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 橋; 桥 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
喬
喬qiáo橋qiáo
Same sound today

The traditional form 橋 pairs 木 (wood) with 喬 (qiáo), which gave the character its sound; the simplified 桥 is a later abbreviation.

Open 桥 →
Appears in
Buildings & StructuresCommunication & Speech

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