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标示 (biāo shì) — to indicate; to mark; to label

Definition

标示 means to mark or label something physically (on packaging, a map, a document) so the mark is visible. 标志 focuses on what something symbolizes; 表明 is to state or show clearly in words, not to put a visible mark.

verb
to indicateto markto label

Examples

  • 标示。
    Chǎn pǐn bāo zhuāng shàng biāo shì le shēng chǎn rì qī.
    The product packaging is marked with the production date.
  • 标示。
    Qǐng zài dì tú shàng biāo shì chū wǒ men de wèi zhì.
    Please mark our location on the map.
  • 标示。
    Zhè fèn wén jiàn xū yào biāo shì zhòng diǎn nèi róng.
    This document needs to have the key points indicated.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

标biāomark
示shìshow

标 and 示 both mean to show or indicate; together they form 标示.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 標; 标 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
票
票piào標biāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 標 pairs 木 with 票, and 票 gives the sound; the simplified 标 is the modern form of that traditional character.

Open 标 →

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

示 began as a drawing of an altar. Extra strokes were added to keep it distinct from unrelated old forms.

Open 示 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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