答案 (dá àn) — answer; solution | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A noun meaning 'answer' or 'solution' to a question, problem, or puzzle — the concrete reply, not the act of solving (use 解答 for the verb).

noun

answersolution

Measure word · 个

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.

答dárespond

案àndocument

答 contributes the idea of responding, while 案 is a written record, so together they mean answer.

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.

竹合答

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

合

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

答 pairs 竹 (bamboo) with 合 as the sound part; the bamboo top replaced an older grass part by mistake.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木安案

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

安

Same sound today

案 pairs 木, a wood/tree shape, with 安, which is used for its sound.

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