电离 (diàn lí) — ionization

Definition

Scientific term for 'ionization' — the process by which atoms or molecules lose or gain electrons to become ions. Often appears in compounds like 电离辐射 ('ionizing radiation').

noun
ionization

Examples

  • 电离。
    diàn lí Shì zhǐ yuán zǐ huò fēn zǐ shī qù huò huò dé diàn zǐ de guò chéng.
    Ionization is the process where atoms or molecules lose or gain electrons.
  • ，电离。
    Zài gāo wēn xià, qì tǐ róng yì fā shēng diàn lí.
    At high temperatures, gases easily undergo ionization.
  • 电离。
    diàn lí Fú shè duì rén tǐ jiàn kāng yǒu wēi hài.
    Ionizing radiation is harmful to human health.

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.

电diànelectricity
离líseparation

电 means electricity and 离 means separation; together they denote ionization.

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 電; 电 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
雨雨yǔrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn電diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For the traditional form 電, 雨 (rain) sits with 申, read shēn and meaning lightning.

Open 电 →

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 離; 离 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
隹隹zhuībird
Sound part声符shēngfú
离
离lí離lí
Same sound today

The traditional form 離 pairs 隹, a bird, with the sound part 离; the simplified 离 is a shorthand. This form first wrote a black-naped oriole, and the sound was borrowed for 'leave'.

Open 离 →

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