裁断 (cái duàn) — to consider and decide; to adjudicate

Definition

Formal verb for weighing evidence and reaching a decision, typically used in judicial, official, or dispute contexts. More authoritative than 决定 (decide) and more formal than 判断 (judge).

verb
to consider and decideto adjudicate
Easily confused

Examples

  • 裁断。
    Fǎ yuàn duì zhè ge wèn tí jìn xíng le cái duàn.
    The court considered and decided on this issue.
  • 裁断。
    Wǒ men xū yào cái duàn zhè jiàn shì de zhēn xiàng.
    We need to consider and decide the truth of this matter.
  • 裁断。
    Tā fù zé cái duàn zhè ge àn jiàn.
    He is responsible for adjudicating this case.

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.

裁cáijudge
断duàndecide

裁 and 断 both mean to judge or decide, so 裁断 refers to considering a matter and settling it.

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
衣衣yī
Sound part声符shēngfú
𢦏
𢦏𢦏裁cái
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

裁 combines 衣 (clothing) with 𢦏, whose form is tied to a blade and an arrow, to show cutting fabric.

Open 裁 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斷; 断 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 斷 uses 𢇍 (to cut) and 斤 (axe) together.

Open 断 →

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