样本 (yàng běn) — sample; specimen | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

样本 is a 'sample' or 'specimen' used in research, testing, or market analysis. Compare 标本 (scientific/medical specimen, or a disease's root-and-branch pattern) and 样品 (product sample, e.g. a freebie to try).

noun

samplespecimen

Measure word · 个

Examples

样本。
Yán jiū rén yuán zhèng zài fēn xī zhè xiē yàng běn.
The researchers are analyzing these samples.
样本。
Gōng sī xū yào shōu jí gèng duō de shì chǎng yàng běn.
The company needs to collect more market samples.
样本。
Shí yàn shì gěi měi yí fèn yàng běn dōu biān le hào.
The lab assigned a number to each specimen.

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.

样 means sample and 本 means copy, so 样本 is a sample copy used for reference.

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 樣; 样 is its simplified writing.

木羕樣

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùwood

Sound part声符shēngfú

羕

羕yàng樣yàng

Same sound today

For 样, the traditional form 樣 pairs 木 (wood) with 羕 as a sound part.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

本 adds a stroke at the bottom of a tree shape to mark the roots, giving the sense of foundation or original.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Science (General)5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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