襄 (xiāng) — (bound form) to assist; to help (in formal or written Chinese)
Definition
A formal, written bound form meaning 'to assist, to help' — used almost only in set compounds like 协助, 襄助, and 经理 (assistant manager). Not used as a standalone verb.
bound form
to assistto help (in formal or written Chinese)
Easily confused
- 裹guǒlook-aliketo wrap (up); to bundle
- 相xiāngsound-alikesurname Xiāng
- 褒bāolook-alike(bound form) to praise, to commend
- 箱xiāngsound-alike(bound form) box, case, chest, trunk (used in compound nouns for various containers)
- 亵xièlook-alike(bound form) irreverent, disrespectful, obscene (used in compound words)
- 香xiāngsound-alikefragrant, aromatic
Examples
- 襄，。Zài tā de xiāng zhù xià, wǒ men shùn lì wán chéng le rèn wu.With his assistance, we completed the task smoothly.
- 襄。Zhè jiā yín háng yǒu wèi jīng yàn fēng fù de xiāng lǐ.This bank has an experienced assistant manager.
- 襄。Gāi tí àn dé dào jǐ wèi zhuān jiā de xiāng zhù.The proposal received assistance from several experts.
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.
Sound part声符shēngfú
𤕦
𤕦𤕦襄xiāng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The old form showed a person with raised hands while taking off clothes; later, a hand and 衣 (clothing) were added to 襄.
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