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服务生 (fú wù shēng) — waiter; server; steward

Definition

noun
waiterserversteward
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 服务生，。
    Qǐng jiào yí xià nà ge fú wù shēng, wǒ xū yào diǎn cài.
    Please call that waiter, I need to order.
  • 服务生。
    Zhè jiā cān tīng de fú wù shēng fú wù fēi cháng zhōu dào.
    The waiters at this restaurant are very attentive.
  • 服务生。
    Tā yǐ qián zài yì jiā jiǔ diàn dāng fú wù shēng.
    He used to work as a server in a hotel.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

服务serve
服fúserve务wùaffairs
动宾Verb + object
生shēngperson

服务 means to serve and 生 means a person, so the word names someone who serves.

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
凡凡fántray
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠬝
𠬝𠬝服fú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 服, the part 𠬝 was the original picture for 'to subdue'; the added left part 凡, a tray, later changed shape.

Open 服 →

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 務; 务 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
敄
敄wù務wù
Same sound today

In the traditional form 務, 力 shows the sense of strength or effort, while 敄 gives the sound. The simplified 务 is a later shorthand.

Open 务 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

生 shows 屮 (a bud) above 一 (the ground), drawing a sprout coming up from the earth.

Open 生 →
Appears in
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