线缆 (xiàn lǎn) — cable, wire, cord (especially for electronics or telecommunications)

Definition

noun
cablewirecord (especially for electronics or telecommunications)
Measure word · 根

Examples

  • 线缆。
    Zhè xiē xiàn lǎn de zhì liàng hěn hǎo.
    The quality of these cables is very good.
  • 线缆。
    Qǐng bǎ xiàn lǎn jiē dào diàn nǎo shàng.
    Please connect the cable to the computer.
  • 线缆。
    Wǒ men xū yào gèng cháng de xiàn lǎn.
    We need a longer cable.

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.

线xiànwire
缆lǎncable

线 (wire) and 缆 (cable) are joined to name electric or communication cords.

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 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →

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 纜; 缆 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
覽
覽lǎn纜
Same sound today

The traditional form 纜 has 糹 (silk) beside 覽, which gives the sound; the simplified 缆 is a later shorthand.

Open 缆 →

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