识别码 (shí bié mǎ) — identification code

Definition

noun

identification code

Measure word · 个

Examples

识别码。
Qǐng shū rù nín de shí bié mǎ.
Please enter your identification code.
识别码。
Zhè ge shí bié mǎ yǐ jīng guò qī le.
This identification code has expired.
识别码。
Sǎo miáo shí bié mǎ kě yǐ kuài sù dēng lù xì tǒng.
Scanning the identification code allows quick login to the system.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

识别recognize

识shíknow别biédistinguish

联合Coordinate

码mǎcode

识别 means to recognize, and 码 is a code; together they name a code used for identifying.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 識; 识 is its simplified writing.

言戠識

Meaning part形符xíngfú

言言yánsay

Sound part声符shēngfú

戠

戠zhí識zhì

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

The traditional form 識 pairs 言 (say) with 戠 as a sound part; the simplified 识 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 识 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 別; 别 is its simplified writing.

冎冎guǎbone
刂刀dāoknife

The traditional form 別 pairs 冎 (bone) with 刀 (knife), showing a knife cutting up bone and flesh. The simplified 别 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 别 →

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 碼; 码 is its simplified writing.

石馬碼

Meaning part形符xíngfú

石石shístone; rock

Sound part声符shēngfú

馬

馬mǎ碼mǎ

Same sound today

The traditional form 碼 pairs 石 (stone) with 馬 for its sound; the simplified 码 is a later shorthand.

Open 码 →