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谜底 (mí dǐ) — answer to a riddle; (figurative) the truth or result that is finally revealed

Definition

The ANSWER to a riddle or mystery — pair with 谜语 ('the riddle itself') or 谜 ('riddle, puzzle'). Used figuratively for a finally-revealed truth.

noun
answer to a riddle(figurative) the truth or result that is finally revealed

Examples

  • ，谜底。
    Zhè ge mí yǔ tài nán le, wǒ cāi bù chū mí dǐ.
    This riddle is too hard; I can't guess the answer.
  • ，谜底。
    Jǐng fāng jīng guò diào chá, zhōng yú jiē kāi le àn jiàn de mí dǐ.
    After investigation, the police finally uncovered the truth of the case.
  • ，谜底。
    Zhēn xiàng jiù xiàng mí yǔ, bú dào zuì hòu yí kè shuí yě bù zhī dào mí dǐ.
    The truth is like a riddle; nobody knows the answer until the very last moment.

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.

谜míriddle
底dǐbottom, answer

“谜” (riddle) and “底” (bottom, answer) combine as the answer hidden at the bottom of a riddle.

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 謎; 谜 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech
Sound part声符shēngfú
迷
迷mí謎mí
Same sound today

The traditional form 謎 is made from 言 (speech) and 迷, which gives the sound and means 'to be lost'; the simplified 谜 is a later abbreviation.

Open 谜 →

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
广广guǎngbuilding
Sound part声符shēngfú
氐
氐dī底dǐ
Same sound today

底 pairs 广 (building) with 氐, pointing to the bottom or foundation of a building. Some read 氐 as a bowing figure or tree root, adding a sense of 'down'.

Open 底 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Abstract ConceptsGames & Puzzles

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