范式 (fàn shì) — paradigm (a conceptual framework or model in a discipline); normal form (in database theory)

Definition

An academic/technical noun with two senses: Kuhnian 'paradigm' (a dominant conceptual framework in a discipline), and database 'normal form' (a structural standard for table design).

noun
paradigm (a conceptual framework or model in a discipline)normal form (in database theory)

Examples

  • 范式。
    Kù ēn de fàn shì lǐ lùn duì kē xué zhé xué yǐng xiǎng hěn dà.
    Kuhn's theory of paradigms has had a great influence on the philosophy of science.
  • 范式。
    Zhè zhǒng xīn de fàn shì gǎi biàn le wǒ men duì jiào yù de lǐ jiě.
    This new paradigm has changed our understanding of education.
  • 范式。
    Shù jù kù shè jì xū yào dá dào dì sān fàn shì.
    Database design needs to reach third normal form.

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.

范fànmodel
式shìform

范 and 式 both point to pattern and form, yielding a model or paradigm.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艸艸cǎograss
Sound part声符shēngfú
氾
氾fán范fàn
Same sound today

范 pairs 艸 (grass) with 氾, which gives its sound.

Open 范 →

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
工工gōngwork
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì式shì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

式 pairs 工, meaning work, with 弋, which gives the sound.

Open 式 →

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