牵引力 (qiān yǐn lì) — (physics/engineering) traction force, pulling f…

Definition

A physics/engineering term for the force that pulls or drives a vehicle forward, generated by an engine or motor.

noun

(physics/engineering) traction forcepulling force

牵引力。
Huǒ chē de qiān yǐn lì lái zì jī chē fā dòng jī.
The train's traction force comes from the locomotive engine.
牵引力，。
Zhè liàng qì chē de qiān yǐn lì hěn qiáng, shì hé zài xuě dì xíng shǐ.
This car has strong traction, suitable for driving on snow.
牵引力。
Gōng chéng shī jì suàn le gāng suǒ de qiān yǐn lì.
The engineer calculated the pulling force of the steel cable.

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.

牵引pulling

联合Side by side

Pulling and drawing combine to give a traction 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 牽; 牵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

牛牛niúcow, ox

Sound part声符shēngfú

玄

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

The traditional form 牽 is built from 玄 and 牛, an ox, giving the picture of leading an ox by hand. The simplified 牵 is a later shorthand.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

引 is made from 弓, a bow, and 丿, a short slant stroke added at the place where the string is pulled, marking the action of drawing or pulling.

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.