燃点 (rán diǎn) — flash point (the temperature at which a substance ignites)

Definition

noun
flash point (the temperature at which a substance ignites)

Examples

  • 燃点，。
    Zhè zhǒng yè tǐ de rán diǎn hěn dī, róng yì zháo huǒ.
    The flash point of this liquid is very low; it easily catches fire.
  • 燃点。
    Shè huì máo dùn de rán diǎn zhèng zài shēng gāo.
    The flash point of social conflicts is rising.
  • 燃点。
    Shí yàn shí yào zhù yì wù zhì de rán diǎn.
    During the experiment, pay attention to the flash point of the substance.

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.

燃ránburn
点diǎnpoint

燃点 pairs 燃 and 点 to mean the point where something ignites.

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
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
然
然rán燃rán
Same sound today

燃 adds 火 (fire) to 然 to write “burn”; 然 supplied the sound, and 火 was added to make the fire meaning clear.

Open 燃 →

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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