效果 (xiào guǒ) — effect, result

Definition

效果 means the result or effect produced by something (a method, action, performance). Unlike 影响 ('influence') it focuses on the outcome, not the act of influencing; more everyday than 功效 ('efficacy'), which is reserved for medicines or treatments.

noun
effectresult

Examples

  • 效果
    Zhè zhǒng yào de xiào guǒ hěn hǎo.
    This kind of medicine has a good effect.
  • 效果
    Tā de gōng zuò xiào guǒ ràng lǎo bǎn hěn mǎn yì.
    The results of his work made the boss very satisfied.
  • 效果
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng de xiào guǒ tè bié hǎo kàn.
    The visual effects of this movie are especially good-looking.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

xiàoeffect
guǒresult

效 points to effect or efficacy, 果 points to result; together they mean the result produced.

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
Written in full asto strike; action
Sound part声符shēngfú
jiāoxiào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

效 pairs 攵 (written in full as 攴), meaning “to strike; action,” with 交, which gives the sound.

Open 效 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

果 originally drew fruits hanging on a tree.

Open 果 →

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