绿藻 (lǜ zǎo) — green algae | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

green algae

绿藻。
Zhè zhǒng lǜ zǎo hán yǒu fēng fù de dàn bái zhì.
This kind of green algae is rich in protein.
绿藻。
Kē xué jiā zhèng zài yán jiū lǜ zǎo de yòng tú.
Scientists are studying the uses of green algae.
，绿藻。
Zài hǎi yáng zhōng, lǜ zǎo shì hěn cháng jiàn de shēng wù.
In the ocean, green algae is a very common organism.

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.

藻zǎoalgae

绿 describes the color and 藻 is algae, together forming green algae.

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 綠; 绿 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mì

Sound part声符shēngfú

彔

彔lù綠lù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 綠 uses 糸 to show silk and 彔 for sound; the simplified 绿 is a later abbreviation, so its parts are not the original pieces.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

艹澡藻

Meaning part形符xíngfú

艹Written in full as艸cǎograss

Sound part声符shēngfú

澡

Same sound today

藻 is built from 艹, a grass sign, placed over 澡, which provides the sound zǎo.