斡 (wò) — (bound form) to mediate (in 斡旋)
Definition
斡 is a bound form used only in the set phrase 斡旋, meaning 'to mediate' between two sides (especially in diplomacy or negotiation). It never stands alone as a verb.
bound form
to mediate (in 斡旋)
Easily confused
Examples
- ，。Tā nǔ lì wò xuán, zhōng yú ràng shuāng fāng dá chéng le xié yì.He worked hard to mediate, and finally got the two sides to reach an agreement.
- 。Zhè cì tán pàn xū yào yí gè yǒu jīng yàn de wò xuán zhě.This negotiation needs an experienced mediator.
- 。Lián hé guó zài zhōng dōng wèn tí shàng jìn xíng le duō cì wò xuán.The United Nations has mediated many times on the Middle East issue.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
倝
倝gàn斡wò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
斡 is made from 斗, a meaning part, and 倝, a sound part.
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