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玫 (méi) — used only in 玫瑰 (rose)

Definition

玫 is a bound form used only inside the word 玫瑰 ('rose'). It has no independent meaning and never appears alone.

bound form
used only in 玫瑰 (rose)

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè duǒ méi gui zhēn piào liang.
    This rose is really beautiful.
  • 。
    Wǒ xǐ huan méi gui de yán sè.
    I like the color of roses.
  • 。
    Tā mǎi le yì bǎ méi gui huā.
    She bought a bunch of roses.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
𤣩Written in full as玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
文
文wén玫
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 𤣩 (written as 玉) shows jade, and the right part 文 supplies the sound.

Appears in
Plants & Flowers

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