软垫 (ruǎn diàn) — soft cushion | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

soft cushion

Measure word · 块

软垫。
Zhè ge ruǎn diàn zuò qǐ lái hěn shū fu.
This soft cushion is very comfortable to sit on.
软垫。
Tā zài yǐ zi shàng fàng le yí gè ruǎn diàn.
He put a soft cushion on the chair.
软垫。
Zhè zhǒng ruǎn diàn kě yǐ yòng lái bǎo hù xī gài.
This kind of soft cushion can be used to protect the knees.

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.

垫diàncushion/pad

“软” describes softness and “垫” names a pad or cushion, so the word means a soft cushion.

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 軟; 软 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

車車jūcarriage

Sound part声符shēngfú

耎

耎ruǎn軟ruǎn

Same sound today

The traditional form 軟 pairs 車 (carriage) with 耎 as a sound part; 耎 depicted a man under rain, and simplified 软 uses a later right side instead of 耎.

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 墊; 垫 is its simplified writing.

執土墊

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

執

執zhí墊diàn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 墊 pairs 土, showing earth, with 執, providing the sound; this is about 墊, not the simplified 垫.