示意图 (shì yì tú) — sketch map; schematic diagram

Definition

A simplified diagram that shows layout or how something works — not a detailed technical drawing. Often used for route maps, machine overviews, or illustrations in instructions.

noun
sketch mapschematic diagram
Measure word · 张

Examples

  • 示意图。
    Qǐng gěi wǒ huà yì zhāng shì yì tú.
    Please draw me a sketch map.
  • 示意图。
    Gōng chéng shī zhèng zài kàn jī qì de shì yì tú.
    The engineer is looking at the machine's schematic diagram.
  • 示意图。
    Zhè ge shì yì tú shì dì tiě de lù xiàn tú.
    This diagram is a subway route map.

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.

示意show an idea
示shìshow意yìidea
动宾Verb + object
图túdiagram

示 and 意 together mean to show an idea, and 图 names the picture, yielding a diagram that indicates something.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

示 began as a drawing of an altar. Extra strokes were added to keep it distinct from unrelated old forms.

Open 示 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 意 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 圖; 图 is its simplified writing.

  • 囗囗wéiwalled city
  • 啚啚bǐ

The traditional form 圖 pairs 囗, a walled city, with 啚, an early form meaning remote areas or territory. The simplified 图 is a later abbreviation.

Open 图 →

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