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轮廓 (lún kuò) — outline; silhouette

Definition

轮廓 is the visual outline or silhouette of a physical shape (mountains, a face, a cityscape). For a written 'outline' or 'summary' of a text, use 大纲 or 提纲.

noun
outlinesilhouette

Examples

  • 轮廓。
    Yuǎn chù de shān lún kuò zài chén wù zhōng ruò yǐn ruò xiàn.
    The outline of the distant mountains appears and disappears in the morning mist.
  • 轮廓。
    Zhè zhāng sù miáo de lún kuò huà dé hěn zhǔn què.
    The outline of this sketch is drawn very accurately.
  • ，轮廓。
    Yè mù xià, chéng shì de lún kuò xiǎn de gé wài mí rén.
    Under the night sky, the silhouette of the city looks especially charming.

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.

轮lúnwheel
廓kuòouter edge

轮廓 joins 轮, 'wheel', and 廓, 'outer edge', to denote the overall outline or silhouette.

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 輪; 轮 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jūcarriage
Sound part声符shēngfú
侖
侖lún輪lún
Same sound today

The traditional form 輪 uses 車, a carriage, and 侖 for the sound; the simplified 轮 is a later shorthand.

Open 轮 →

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guǎngbroad; wide; extensive
Sound part声符shēngfú
郭
郭guō廓kuò
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

廓 pairs 广, which carries the sense of broad or wide, with 郭, which gives the sound.

Open 廓 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Shapes

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