服务舱 (fú wù cāng) — service module; service cabin

Definition

A noun from aerospace: the non-pressurized section of a spacecraft that holds engines, fuel, and life-support gear (power, oxygen). Pairs with nouns like 飞船 or 航天器.

noun
service moduleservice cabin
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 服务舱。
    Zhè sōu fēi chuán de fú wù cāng hěn xiān jìn.
    This spaceship's service module is very advanced.
  • 服务舱。
    fú wù cāng Wèi yǔ háng yuán tí gōng yǎng qì hé diàn lì.
    The service module provides oxygen and power for the astronauts.
  • 服务舱。
    Yǔ háng yuán zhèng zài jiǎn chá fú wù cāng de xì tǒng.
    The astronauts are checking the service module's systems.

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.

服务service
服fúserve务wùaffairs
动宾Verb + object
舱cāngcabin

服务 names the function, and 舱 gives the cabin, forming a service module.

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 →

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 艙; 舱 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
舟舟zhōuboat
Sound part声符shēngfú
倉
倉cāng艙cāng
Same sound today

The traditional form 艙 has 舟 (boat) and 倉, and 倉 is used for the sound. The simplified 舱 is a later shorthand.

Open 舱 →

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