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系统 (xì tǒng) — (noun) system; (adjective) systematic

Definition

Used for a 'system' as a whole, concrete and built — like an OS or a transportation network. 体系 is more abstract ('framework, theoretical system'); 有条不紊 is an idiom describing a well-organized *manner*, not a thing.

noun
system
adjective
systematic
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè ge cāo zuò xì tǒng hěn wěn dìng.
    This operating system is very stable.
  • 系统。
    Nǐ xū yào zuò yí gè xì tǒng de xué xí jì huà.
    You need to make a systematic study plan.
  • 系统。
    Zhè ge chéng shì de jiāo tōng xì tǒng hěn fāng biàn.
    This city's transportation system is very convenient.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

系xìconnection
统tǒngwhole

系 and 统 both refer to connected strands or organized wholes, giving the meaning of a system.

Characters in this word

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

系 is made by putting together 手 (hand) and 糸 (silk).

Open 系 →

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 統; 统 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
充
充chōng統tǒng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 統 uses 糸 as a meaning part and 充 as a sound part; the simplified 统 is a later shorthand, so this story is about 統, not about 统's parts.

Open 统 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 51000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsTechnology & Engineering2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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