暗礁 (àn jiāo) — submerged reef; hidden obstacle (figurative)

Definition

Literally a reef hidden just below the waterline; figuratively a hidden obstacle or snag (in a plan, negotiation, or relationship) that suddenly trips you up. Most often used in the figurative sense at HSK 7.

noun
submerged reefhidden obstacle (figurative)
Measure word · 座

Examples

  • 暗礁，。
    Zhè piàn hǎi yù yǒu hěn duō àn jiāo, háng xíng shí yào xiǎo xīn.
    There are many submerged reefs in this sea area; be careful when sailing.
  • 暗礁，。
    Tán pàn zhōng yù dào le bù shǎo àn jiāo, shuāng fāng hěn nán dá chéng yí zhì.
    Many hidden obstacles were encountered during the negotiations, making it hard for both sides to reach an agreement.
  • 暗礁。
    Zhè sōu chuán yīn wèi zhuàng shàng àn jiāo ér chén mò le.
    This ship sank because it hit a submerged reef.

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.

暗ànhidden
礁jiāoreef

暗 (hidden) and 礁 (reef) combine to mean a reef hidden under water.

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
日日rìsun
Sound part声符shēngfú
音
音yīn暗àn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

暗 pairs 日 (sun) with 音, which gives the sound.

Open 暗 →

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
石石shírock
Sound part声符shēngfú
焦
焦jiāo礁jiāo
Same sound today

礁 pairs 石, rock, with 焦, which gives the sound.

Open 礁 →
Appears in
Geography & Landforms

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