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支点 (zhī diǎn) — fulcrum; point of support

Definition

Literally 'support point' — the pivot or fulcrum on which a lever (杠杆) balances or turns. Also used metaphorically for a small leverage point that moves a larger system.

noun
fulcrumpoint of support
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 支点？
    Zhè ge gàng gǎn de zhī diǎn zài nǎ lǐ?
    Where is the fulcrum of this lever?
  • 支点。
    Zhǎo dào zhī diǎn cái néng qiào dòng zhěng gè xì tǒng.
    You need to find the fulcrum to move the whole system.
  • ，支点。
    Zài píng héng shí yàn zhōng, zhī diǎn de wèi zhì hěn guān jiàn.
    In the balance experiment, the position of the fulcrum is crucial.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

支zhīsupport
点diǎnpoint

支 gives the idea of support, and 点 gives a point, so the word names the point that supports something.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

支 pairs 又 (hand) with 十, a shortened form of 竹 (bamboo), to picture a bamboo branch.

Open 支 →

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →
Appears in
Physics & Chemistry

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