输精管 (shū jīng guǎn) — vas deferens; spermatic duct

Definition

noun
vas deferensspermatic duct
Measure word ·

Examples

  • 输精管
    shū jīng guǎn Shì nán xìng shēng zhí xì tǒng de yí bù fen.
    The vas deferens is part of the male reproductive system.
  • 输精管
    Yī shēng tōng guò shǒu shù jiē tōng le tā de shū jīng guǎn.
    The doctor surgically reconnected his vas deferens.
  • 输精管
    shū jīng guǎn Dǔ sè kě néng dǎo zhì bú yù.
    Blockage of the vas deferens can lead to infertility.

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.

输精transport sperm
shūtransportjīngsperm
动宾Verb + object

It names a 管 that 输 精: a tube for transporting sperm.

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 輸; 输 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
shū
Same sound today

The traditional form 輸 pairs 車 (vehicle) with 俞 for sound; 車 shows the meaning.

Open 输 →

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

精 pairs 米 (rice) with 青, which gives the sound; the character originally meant polished rice.

Open 精 →

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
zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
guānguǎn
Same sound today

管 has 竹 (bamboo) on top to show it relates to bamboo, and 官 gives its sound.

Open 管 →

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