节 (jié) — (classifier) for segments of connected things: lessons, train cars, sections; (noun) festival; holiday; solar term; (verb) to economize; to save
Definition
As a classifier, 节 counts discrete sections of things like lessons or train cars — use 段 for stretches of time, road, or text. As a noun, it means a festival or solar term (春节, 清明节). As a verb it means to economize or save (节约).
classifier
for segments of connected things: lessons, train cars, sections
noun
festivalholidaysolar term
verb
to economizeto save
Examples
- 节。Wǒ men měi tiān shàng sì jié hàn yǔ kè.We have four Chinese lessons every day.
- ，。Chūn jié kuài dào le, dà jiā dōu hěn gāo xìng.The Spring Festival is coming, and everyone is very happy.
- 。Wǒ men yào jié yuē yì diǎn shuǐ.We need to save a little water.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 節; 节 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 節 pairs ⺮ (bamboo) with 即, which gives the sound; the bamboo part points to a node of bamboo. The simplified 节 is a later abbreviation.
Appears in
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