红旗 (hóng qí) — red flag (literal — a flag that is red in color…

Definition

Literal: a flag that is red. Figurative: an emblem of revolution, socialism, or a model/advanced unit receiving official honor.

noun

red flag (literal — a flag that is red in color)(figurative) emblem of revolution / socialism / advanced model or honor

Measure word · 面

红旗。
Tiān ān mén chéng lóu shàng guà zhe yí miàn xiān yàn de hóng qí.
A bright red flag hangs on the Tiananmen gate tower.
红旗。
Tā men gōng chǎng bèi píng wéi jīn nián de hóng qí dān wèi.
Their factory was rated as this year's model unit.
红旗，。
Xué xí hóng qí jīng shén, zhēng qǔ gèng dà jìn bù.
Learn from the red-flag spirit and strive for greater progress.

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.

红 gives the color red and 旗 means flag, so the sense is a red flag, also an emblem.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 紅; 红 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìsilk

Sound part声符shēngfú

工

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

The traditional form 紅 puts 糸 (silk) next to 工, which gives the sound; the simplified 红 is a later shorthand.

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

㫃㫃㫃flag

Sound part声符shēngfú

其

Same sound today

旗 pairs 㫃, a flag, with 其, which gives the pronunciation qí.