神物 (shén wù) — supernatural being; divine creature; extraordinary natural phenomenon; wonder; prodigy; person of exceptional talent

Definition

Literary term for something supernatural or breathtakingly extraordinary — a divine creature, a stunning natural wonder, or a rare prodigy. Mostly seen in classical or formal writing, not everyday speech.

noun
supernatural beingdivine creatureextraordinary natural phenomenonwonderprodigyperson of exceptional talent
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • ，神物。
    Chuán shuō zhōng, yǒu yì zhǒng shén wù shǒu hù zhe zhè zuò shān.
    Legend has it that a supernatural being guards this mountain.
  • 神物。
    Jí guāng shì yì zhǒng hǎn jiàn de zì rán shén wù.
    The aurora is a rare natural wonder.
  • 神物。
    Zhè ge hái zi bèi rén men chēng wéi shù xué shén wù.
    This child is called a mathematical prodigy by people.

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.

神shéndivine/spirit
物wùthing/creature

神 (divine) + 物 (thing/creature) = a divine or supernatural thing/being.

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
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

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
牛牛niú
Sound part声符shēngfú
勿
勿wù物wù
Same sound today

物 puts 牛 beside 勿: 牛 gives the meaning, and 勿 gives the sound.

Open 物 →

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