标语 (biāo yǔ) — slogan; placard (with a written message) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

标语 is a written slogan or placard — the text you see on a wall, banner, or sign. 口号 is more for spoken or shouted catchphrases (rallies, campaigns); 标语 is the version you read.

noun

sloganplacard (with a written message)

Measure word · 幅, 张, 条

Examples

标语。
Zhè tiáo biāo yǔ hū yù dà jiā bǎo hù huán jìng.
This slogan calls on everyone to protect the environment.
标语。
Yóu xíng duì wu jǔ zhe jǐ fú biāo yǔ.
The parade marchers were holding several placards.
标语。
Qiáng shàng yì zhāng hóng sè biāo yǔ gé wài xǐng mù.
A red placard on the wall is particularly eye-catching.

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.

标 means mark and 语 means words; together they form 标语.

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.

木票標

Meaning part形符xíngfú

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.

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 語; 语 is its simplified writing.

言吾語

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

吾

吾wú語yǔ

Same sound today

The form 語 pairs 言 (speech) with 吾, which gives the sound; this note is about 語, not 语.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Communication & Speech

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