超现实主义 (chāo xiàn shí zhǔ yì) — surrealism

Definition

An early-20th-century Western art and literary movement (from French 'surréalisme') that seeks to unlock the unconscious through dreamlike, irrational imagery. Use it for the movement itself; the related adjective is 超现实的.

noun
surrealism

Examples

  • 超现实主义。
    Zhè fú huà shǔ yú chāo xiàn shí zhǔ yì fēng gé.
    This painting belongs to the surrealist style.
  • ，超现实主义。
    Èr shí shì jì chū, chāo xiàn shí zhǔ yì zài fǎ guó xīng qǐ.
    Surrealism arose in France in the early 20th century.
  • 超现实主义。
    Wǒ xǐ huan yán jiū chāo xiàn shí zhǔ yì zuò pǐn.
    I like studying surrealist works.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

超现实beyond reality
超chāobeyond现xiànpresent实shíreal
偏正Modifier + head
主义-ism
主zhǔ义yì
联合Side by side

超现实 'beyond reality' plus 主义 as an -ism term.

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
走走zǒurun
Sound part声符shēngfú
召
召zhào超chāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

超 pairs 走, meaning “run,” with 召, which gives the sound.

Open 超 →

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 現; 现 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
見
見jiàn現
Same sound today

The traditional form 現 pairs 玉 (jade) with 見 as a sound part; the simplified 现 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 现 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →

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 義; 义 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
羊羊yáng
Sound part声符shēngfú
我
我wǒ義yì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 義 has 我 giving the sound and 羊 meaning good or auspicious; the simplified 义 is a later abbreviation.

Open 义 →

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