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索 (suǒ) — to search, to demand; (in compounds) rope; clue; abbreviation for Somalia

Definition

索 is a bound form that mostly appears in compounds — it never stands alone as a verb. As 索 (suǒ) it means 'to demand / search' (索取, 索赔); as 绳索 it's 'rope'; as an abbreviation it stands for Somalia (索马里).

bound form
to searchto demand(in compounds) ropeclueabbreviation for Somalia

Examples

  • 。
    Jǐng chá zài sēn lín lǐ sōu suǒ shī zōng de hái zi.
    The police are searching the forest for the missing child.
  • 。
    Tā xiàng gōng sī suǒ qǔ péi cháng.
    He demanded compensation from the company.
  • 。
    suǒ Mǎ lǐ shì yí gè fēi zhōu guó jiā.
    Somalia is an African country.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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

  • 糸糸mìthread
  • 𣎳𣎳𣎳strip fibres off a hemp stalk

索 combines 糸 (thread) and 𣎳 (stripping fibres from a hemp stalk), showing threads or rope being pulled out from a fabric.

Appears in
Miscellaneous Objects5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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