至理名言 (zhì lǐ míng yán) — profound saying; maxim; aphorism that expresses an indisputable truth

Definition

A formal, literary term for a 'profound saying' that expresses an indisputable truth — usually quoted from a classic or respected source, more elevated than everyday 谚语 or 格言.

noun
profound sayingmaximaphorism that expresses an indisputable truth

Examples

  • 至理名言。
    Tā yǐn yòng le yí jù zhì lǐ míng yán lái quàn gào dà jiā.
    He quoted a profound saying to advise everyone.
  • “”至理名言。
    "Xué ér bù sī zé wǎng" shì yí jù zhì lǐ míng yán.
    'Learning without thinking is useless' is a profound maxim.
  • 至理名言。
    Zhè běn shū lǐ shōu jí le xǔ duō gǔ rén de zhì lǐ míng yán.
    This book collects many ancient people's profound sayings.

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.

至理utmost principle
至zhìutmost理lǐprinciple
偏正Modifier + head
名言famous saying
名míngfamous言yánsaying
偏正Modifier + head

"至" means utmost, "理" principle, "名" famous, "言" saying; together mean a famous maxim.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

至 is drawn as an arrow stuck into the ground.

Open 至 →

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
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
里
里lǐ理lǐ
Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Open 理 →

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

名 puts 夕 (crescent moon) above 口 (mouth), showing a name spoken in the dark.

Open 名 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →

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