起重 (qǐ chóng) — to hoist or lift heavy objects (using machinery)

Definition

Refers to using machinery (cranes, hoists) to lift heavy loads. Pairs almost exclusively in compounds like 起重机 (crane).

verb

to hoist or lift heavy objects (using machinery)

Easily confused

起重。
Gōng rén men zhèng zài yòng qǐ zhòng jī qǐ chóng.
The workers are lifting heavy objects with a crane.
，。
Tā men zuó tiān qǐ le yí cì zhòng, hěn shùn lì.
They hoisted a load yesterday and it went smoothly.
起重。
Zhè ge shè bèi kě yǐ qǐ chóng wǔ dūn.
This equipment can lift five tons.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

Lifting 起 what is 重, so hoisting heavy loads.

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.

走巳起

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

巳

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

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

東

東dōng重zhòng

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

重 developed from a picture of a man carrying a bag, with 人 for the man and 東 for the bag; a later ground element was folded into the form.