粗细 (cū xì) — thickness (of a line, thread, etc.); fineness or coarseness (of texture, workmanship)

Definition

A single noun covering both thickness (of a line or thread) and fineness/coarseness (of texture or workmanship). It frames the spectrum between 粗 and 细 rather than naming one side.

noun
thickness (of a line, thread, etc.)fineness or coarseness (of texture, workmanship)

Examples

  • 粗细，。
    Zhè tiáo xiàn de cū xì zhèng hǎo, bù cū bú xì.
    The thickness of this line is just right, neither too thick nor too thin.
  • 粗细。
    Zhè zhǒng bù de cū xì hěn shì hé zuò chuāng lián.
    The texture of this fabric is very suitable for making curtains.
  • 粗细，。
    Tā zuò de mù gōng cū xì hěn jūn yún, yí kàn jiù shì lǎo shǒu.
    The quality of his woodworking is very even; you can tell he's an expert.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

粗cūcoarse
细xìfine

粗 and 细 together express how thick or fine something is, giving the degree of thickness or quality.

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
且
且qiě粗cū
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

粗 pairs 米 (rice), which points to its meaning, with 且, which gives a clue to its sound.

Open 粗 →

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 細; 细 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
囟
囟xìn細xì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 細 pairs 糸, silk or thread, with 囟 for the sound. The simplified 细 is a later shorthand, and the old right part changed shape.

Open 细 →

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