短信 (duǎn xìn) — text message, SMS

Definition

短信 is the noun for a 'text message / SMS' sent between phones. The verb 转发 ('to forward') describes the action of sending a 短信 on to someone else.

noun
text messageSMS
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • 短信。
    Wǒ zuó tiān shōu dào yì tiáo duǎn xìn.
    I received a text message yesterday.
  • 短信？
    Nǐ gěi tā fā duǎn xìn le ma?
    Did you send him a text message?
  • 短信。
    Qǐng gěi wǒ huí duǎn xìn.
    Please reply to my text message.

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.

短duǎnbrief
信xìnmessage

'短' brief, '信' message; together: a brief message.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
矢矢shǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
豆
豆dòu短duǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

短 is built from 矢 and 豆. 豆 is used for its sound, while 矢 is the component linked to the meaning.

Open 短 →

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
言言yánwords
Sound part声符shēngfú
人
人rén信xìn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

信 pairs 人 as the sound part with 言 (words) as the meaning part.

Open 信 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 5Phones & Telecom5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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