粒状 (lì zhuàng) — granular; in granular form

Definition

Used to describe matter (soil, fertilizer, substances) that consists of small grains or particles. As an adjective it modifies a noun directly, often before 的 (粒状的土壤) or after 的.

adjective
granularin granular form

Examples

  • 粒状。
    Zhè ge wù zhì de lì zhuàng jié gòu hěn míng xiǎn.
    The granular structure of this substance is very obvious.
  • 粒状。
    lì zhuàng De tǔ rǎng gèng róng yì xī shōu shuǐ fèn.
    Granular soil absorbs water more easily.
  • 粒状。
    Yòng lì zhuàng de féi liào shī féi xiào guǒ gèng hǎo.
    Using granular fertilizer has a better effect.

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.

粒lìgranule
状zhuàngform

'粒' (granule) describes the '状' (form) of something.

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
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
立
立lì粒lì
Same sound today

粒 pairs 米 (rice) with 立, which gives its pronunciation.

Open 粒 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 狀; 状 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犬犬quǎn
Sound part声符shēngfú
爿
爿pán狀zhuàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 狀 pairs 犬 (dog) with 爿 as a sound component; the simplified 状 is a shorthand, not the historical shape.

Open 状 →

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