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藏书 (cáng shū) — to collect books

Definition

Literary verb meaning 'to collect books' as a hobby, with the implication of amassing a personal library over time. Often used as a noun-noun phrase (藏书 + 量/家) for a book collector or collection.

verb
to collect books

Examples

  • 。
    Tā cáng le bù shǎo shū.
    He collected quite a few books.
  • 。
    Tā cóng xiǎo jiù xǐ huan cáng shū.
    He has liked collecting books since childhood.
  • 。
    Cáng shū shì tā de ài hào.
    Collecting books is his hobby.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

藏cángstore/collect
书shūbooks

藏 means to store or collect, and 书 means books, so the word names collecting books.

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
臧
臧zāng藏cáng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

藏 is made from 艸 (grass) and 臧, where 臧 gives the sound.

Open 藏 →

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 書; 书 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
聿聿yùwriting brush
Sound part声符shēngfú
者
者zhě書shū
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 書 uses 聿, a writing brush, and 者 for its sound; the simplified 书 is a later shorthand.

Open 书 →
Appears in
Reading & Writing

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