测距 (cè jù) — to measure distance, to range-find

Definition

verb
to measure distanceto range-find

Examples

  • 测距。
    Tā men yòng jī guāng cè jù.
    They use laser to measure distance.
  • 测距。
    Zhè ge yí qì kě yǐ jīng què cè jù.
    This instrument can measure distance accurately.
  • 测距。
    Wǒ men xū yào cè jù yí xià.
    We need to measure the distance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

测cèmeasure
距jùdistance

测 gives measuring and 距 gives distance, so the word means to measure how far something is.

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 測; 测 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
則
則zé測cè
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 測 combines 氵 (water) with 則 for the sound; it is explained as measuring the depth of water. The simplified 测 is a later shorthand.

Open 测 →

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
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
巨
巨jù距jù
Same sound today

距 puts 足, meaning foot, beside 巨, which gives its sound.

Open 距 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.