热力学 (rè lì xué) — thermodynamics | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

thermodynamics

热力学。
rè lì xué Shì wù lǐ xué de yí gè zhòng yào fēn zhī.
Thermodynamics is an important branch of physics.
热力学。
Tā zài dà xué zhǔ xiū rè lì xué.
He majored in thermodynamics at university.
热力学。
Xué xí rè lì xué xū yào zhǎng wò hěn duō shù xué zhī shi.
Studying thermodynamics requires mastering a lot of mathematical knowledge.

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.

力学mechanics

偏正Modifier + head

“热” names heat and “力学” names mechanics, the study of force.

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 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

埶灬熱

Meaning part形符xíngfú

灬Written in full as火huǒfire

Sound part声符shēngfú

埶

埶yì熱rè

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

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

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

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

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 學; 学 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 學 may have used 爻 and 六 for sound, with hands and a child added later; the simplified 学 is a shorthand.