轮转 (lún zhuǎi) — to rotate; to move in a cycle; to recur in succession

Definition

轮转 emphasizes the cyclical, recurring nature of movement — seasons, tasks, or gears that come around again and again. More formal and literary than everyday 转动, which describes simple turning or rotation.

verb
to rotateto move in a cycleto recur in succession

Examples

  • 轮转。
    Jī qì shàng de chǐ lún bù tíng dì lún zhuǎi.
    The gears on the machine keep rotating.
  • 轮转，。
    Sì jì lún zhuǎi, zhōu ér fù shǐ.
    The four seasons rotate in an endless cycle.
  • 轮转。
    Zhè ge rèn wu měi nián lún zhuǎi yí cì.
    This task recurs once every year.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

轮lúnwheel
转zhuǎnturn

轮 and 转 both involve turning or moving in a cycle, so the action is to rotate.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 轉; 转 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jūcarriage
Sound part声符shēngfú
專
專zhuān轉zhuǎn
Same sound today

The traditional form 轉 combines 車, a carriage, with 專 as a sound part; the simplified 转 is a later shorthand.

Open 转 →

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