流线型 (liú xiàn xíng) — streamlined shape, aerodynamic form

Definition

A noun meaning a 'streamlined' shape — smooth, curved contours that reduce air or water resistance (cars, trains, appliances). Also used figuratively for sleek, efficient design.

noun
streamlined shapeaerodynamic form

Examples

  • 流线型，。
    Zhè liàng pǎo chē cǎi yòng liú xiàn xíng shè jì, sù dù fēi cháng kuài.
    This sports car uses a streamlined design and is very fast.
  • 流线型。
    Xīn gāo tiě de liú xiàn xíng chē shēn ràng rén yìn xiàng shēn kè.
    The streamlined body of the new high-speed train is impressive.
  • 流线型。
    Zhè zhǒng liú xiàn xíng de píng zi ná qǐ lái hěn shùn shǒu.
    This kind of streamlined bottle feels comfortable to hold.

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.

流线streamline
流liúflow线xiànline
偏正Modifier + head
型xíngshape

流线 (streamline) describes 型 (shape), giving an aerodynamic form.

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
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
㐬
㐬㐬流liú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

流 has 水, water, and 㐬, which gives the sound. The water part matches meanings such as flow.

Open 流 →

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 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →

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
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
刑
刑xíng型xíng
Same sound today

型 pairs 土 (earth) with 刑, which supplies the sound; the shape shows an earthen mold, hence form or pattern.

Open 型 →

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