相映 (xiāng yìng) — to set each other off; to form a contrast (so as to enhance each other)

Definition

Literary verb meaning two things enhance each other through contrast — usually colors or scenery paired together. Almost always appears in the set phrase 相映成趣 ('set each other off charmingly').

verb
to set each other offto form a contrast (so as to enhance each other)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 相映。
    Hóng qiáng yǔ lǜ wǎ xiāng yìng chéng qù.
    The red walls and green tiles set each other off charmingly.
  • 相映，。
    Hú shuǐ xiāng yìng zhe lán tiān, jǐng sè shí fēn mí rén.
    The lake water contrasts beautifully with the blue sky; the scenery is very enchanting.
  • ，。
    Hēi bái liǎng sè xiāng yìng, xíng chéng qiáng liè de shì jué chōng jī.
    Black and white set each other off, creating a strong visual impact.

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.

相xiāngmutual
映yìngshine

相 means mutual and 映 means shine or reflect, so things set each other off.

Characters in this word

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

In 相, 目 is an eye and 木 is a tree, showing an eye looking at a tree; this originally meant “to observe.”

Open 相 →

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
日日rìsun
Sound part声符shēngfú
央
央yāng映yìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

映 pairs 日, the sun, with 央 as a sound element.

Open 映 →

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