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绣花 (xiù huā) — to embroider

Definition

绣花 is the verb-object phrase 'to embroider', pairing 绣 (stitch with a needle) with 花 (floral patterns). Used as both an action and a noun for the decorative work itself.

verb
to embroider

Examples

  • 绣花。
    Tā xǐ huan zài yī fu shàng xiù huā.
    She likes to embroider on clothes.
  • 。
    Nǎi nai zài zhěn tào shàng xiù le yì duǒ mǔ dān huā.
    Grandma embroidered a peony on the pillowcase.
  • 绣花。
    Zhè jiàn qí páo shàng de xiù huā shǒu yì fēi cháng jīng zhàn.
    The embroidery on this cheongsam is very exquisite.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

绣xiùembroider
花huāflower

“绣” is to embroider and “花” is flower: embroider flowers.

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 繡; 绣 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
肅
肅sù繡xiù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 绣, the traditional form 繡 pairs 糸, silk, with 肅 to give the sound.

Open 绣 →

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
艹Written in full as艸cǎograss; plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
化
化huà花
Same sound today

花 pairs 艹 (grass; plant) with 化, which gives the sound.

Open 花 →
Appears in
Crafts & Handiwork

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