海王星 (Hǎi wáng xīng) — Neptune | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

Neptune

Measure word · 颗

海王星。
Hǎi wáng xīng Shì tài yáng xì zuì yuǎn de xíng xīng.
Neptune is the farthest planet in the solar system.
海王星。
Hǎi wáng xīng De biǎo miàn kàn qǐ lái shì lán sè de.
Neptune's surface looks blue.
海王星。
Kē xué jiā zhèng zài yán jiū Hǎi wáng xīng de tiān qì.
Scientists are studying Neptune's weather.

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.

海王sea king

偏正Modifier + head

海 'sea', 王 'king', and 星 'star' form 'star of the sea king'.

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.

氵每海

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

每

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

海 pairs 氵 (water) with 每, which gives the sound. The 氵 side shows it is about water.

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

The shape of 王 comes from a picture of a ritual axe, an object kept near a throne and connected with royal power.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The top of 星 is a later simplified form of 晶, twinkling stars; the bottom 生 shows the sound.

Appears in