易拉罐 (yì lā guàn) — pull-top can (with ring-pull) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

pull-top can (with ring-pull)

Measure word · 个

Examples

易拉罐。
Zhè ge yì lā guàn shì kōng de.
This pull-top can is empty.
易拉罐，。
Tā bǎ yì lā guàn dǎ kāi, hē le yì kǒu.
He opened the pull-top can and took a sip.
易拉罐。
Huí shōu yì lā guàn kě yǐ bǎo hù huán jìng.
Recycling pull-top cans can protect the environment.

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.

易拉easy to pull

易yìeasy拉lāpull

偏正Modifier + head

The 罐 can be 拉 opened 易 easily.

Characters in this word

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

The early form of 易 was a drawing of a filled container, not a chameleon. It showed something full that could be given out.

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

手手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

立

立lì拉lā

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

拉 pairs 手 (hand) with 立, a component that supplies the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

缶雚罐

Meaning part形符xíngfú

缶缶fǒupottery

Sound part声符shēngfú

雚

雚guàn罐guàn(r)

Same sound today

The left part 缶 shows pottery, while the right part 雚 gives the pronunciation.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Miscellaneous Objects

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