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环节 (huán jié) — (biology) segment (of the body of a worm, centipede, etc.); (fig.) stage, step, aspect, or component (of a process, project, system, etc.)

Definition

环节 names a link or stage in a chain of connected steps (a process, project, workflow). Unlike 措施 (an action/measures taken to solve something) or 因素 (a contributing factor), it points to a sequential part of a whole.

noun
(biology) segment (of the body of a worm, centipede, etc.)(fig.) stagestepaspector component (of a process, project, system, etc.)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 环节。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù de měi yí gè huán jié dōu hěn zhòng yào.
    Every stage of this project is important.
  • 环节？
    Shēng chǎn liú chéng zhōng zuì róng yì chū wèn tí de huán jié shì shén me?
    What is the most problematic link in the production process?
  • ，环节。
    Yào jiě jué wèn tí, bì xū xiān fēn xī měi gè huán jié.
    To solve the problem, you must first analyze each component.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

环huánring
节jiéjoint

'环' (ring) and '节' (joint) together picture a link or segment in a chain.

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 環; 环 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
睘
睘qióng環huán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 環 pairs 玉 (jade) with a sound part; the simplified 环 is a shorthand and its right side is not the historical sound part.

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 節; 节 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺮Written in full as竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
即
即jí節jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 節 pairs ⺮ (bamboo) with 即, which gives the sound; the bamboo part points to a node of bamboo. The simplified 节 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 6Change & ProcessOrder & Arrangement5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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