机组 (jī zǔ) — unit, set (of machinery); flight crew | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A compound noun with two main senses: a set or unit of machinery (e.g. a generator or AC unit, counted with 台), and the crew operating an aircraft. The two senses are unrelated — pick by context.

noun

unitset (of machinery)flight crew

Measure word · 台

Examples

。
Zhè tái fā diàn jī zǔ kě yǐ gōng yìng zhěng gè chéng shì.
This generator unit can supply the entire city.
机组。
jī zǔ Rén yuán zài qǐ fēi qián jiǎn chá le ān quán shè bèi.
The flight crew checked the safety equipment before takeoff.
。
Zhè ge kōng tiáo jī zǔ xū yào dìng qī wéi hù.
This air conditioning unit needs regular maintenance.

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.

机jīmachine

机组 is a 组 of 机, such as a machine set or aircraft crew.

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.

木几机

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree; wood

Sound part声符shēngfú

几

几jǐ机jī

Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

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 組; 组 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìsilk

Sound part声符shēngfú

且

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 組 pairs 糸 (silk) with 且 as a sound part; the simplified 组 is a shorthand.

Appears in

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