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润滑 (rùn huá) — to lubricate (machinery); (figurative) to smooth, to ease (relationships, communication)

Definition

Literally 'to lubricate' machinery by reducing friction; figuratively, to smooth relationships or communication. 比 缓和 is more concrete and action-oriented; 润滑 highlights easing friction itself.

verb
to lubricate (machinery)(figurative) to smoothto ease (relationships, communication)

Examples

  • 润滑，。
    Gōng rén dìng qī gěi jī qì rùn huá, jiǎn shǎo mó cā.
    Workers lubricate the machine regularly to reduce friction.
  • 润滑。
    Tā de yōu mò gǎn néng rùn huá tuán duì de qì fen.
    His sense of humor can lubricate the team's atmosphere.
  • 润滑。
    Yǒu xiào de gōu tōng kě yǐ rùn huá rén jì guān xì de mó cā.
    Effective communication can smooth the friction in interpersonal relationships.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

润rùnmoisten; lubricate
滑huáslippery; smooth

润 supplies moistening and 滑 supplies smoothness, giving lubrication or a sleek surface.

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 潤; 润 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
閏
閏rùn潤rùn
Same sound today

The traditional form 潤 pairs 水 (water) with 閏, which gives the sound and means surplus, to show an ample amount of moisture; the simplified 润 is a later abbreviation.

Open 润 →

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

滑 pairs 水 (water) with 骨, which gives the sound.

Open 滑 →
Appears in
Abstract ConceptsTechnology & Engineering

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