改称 (gǎi chèn) — to change a name or title (of an institution, position, or person)

Definition

A formal verb meaning to officially rename or retitle (a place, institution, or position). Often used in news or official contexts, typically followed by 为 + the new name.

verb
to change a name or title (of an institution, position, or person)

Examples

  • 改称。
    Zhè ge xué xiào qù nián gǎi chèn le.
    This school changed its name last year.
  • 。
    Tā de zhí wèi gǎi guò liǎng cì chēng.
    His position title has been changed twice.
  • 改称。
    Gōng sī jué dìng gǎi chèn wèi guó jì jí tuán.
    The company decided to change its name to an international group.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

改gǎichange
称chēngname

改 means change and 称 means name or title; together they mean to change a name.

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
攴攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì改gǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

An early form of 改 paired 巳 as a sound part with 攴 as a meaning part; the sound part later changed.

Open 改 →

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 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hérice
Sound part声符shēngfú
爯
爯chēng稱chēng
Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Open 称 →

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