透光 (tòu guāng) — translucent

Definition

Describes a material that lets light pass through but scatters it, so you cannot see clearly through it. Often used for paper, glass, or fabric in technical, photographic, or design contexts.

adjective
translucent

Examples

  • 透光，。
    Zhè shàn chuāng hu yòng de bō li fēi cháng tòu guāng, jì néng cǎi guāng yòu bǎo hù yǐn sī.
    The glass used in this window is very translucent, allowing light in while protecting privacy.
  • 透光，。
    Zhè zhǒng zhǐ de tòu guāng dù hěn gāo, kě yǐ yòng lái zuò dēng zhào.
    This paper has high translucency; it can be used to make lampshades.
  • ，透光。
    Zài shè yǐng zhōng, tòu guāng de cái liào cháng bèi yòng lái róu huà guāng xiàn.
    In photography, translucent materials are often used to soften light.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

透tòulet through
光guānglight

透 lets through 光 light, yielding translucent.

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
辵辵chuòwalking
Sound part声符shēngfú
秀
秀xiù透tòu
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape 透 has 辵, a walking part, and 秀, which provides the sound.

Open 透 →

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

  • 火火huǒfire
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

The shape 光 places 火 (fire) above 卩 (a kneeling person), showing fire over the head and the shining of light.

Open 光 →

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