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通晓 (tōng xiǎo) — to have a thorough grasp of; to be proficient in (a subject, field, language, etc.)

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning to be thoroughly proficient in a subject or language, deeper than knowing facts. Implies mastery achieved through long study, not casual familiarity.

verb
to have a thorough grasp ofto be proficient in (a subject, field, language, etc.)

Examples

  • 通晓。
    Tā tōng xiǎo duō zhǒng gǔ dài wén zì.
    He has a thorough knowledge of many ancient scripts.
  • 通晓。
    Zhè wèi xué zhě tōng xiǎo zhōng guó lì shǐ.
    This scholar is well-versed in Chinese history.
  • 通晓。
    Xué xí wài yǔ xū yào hěn cháng shí jiān cái néng tōng xiǎo.
    Learning a foreign language requires a long time to become proficient in it.

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.

通tōngthoroughly
晓xiǎoknow

To know (晓) something thoroughly (通) is to master it.

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
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng通tōng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

通 pairs 辶, a part associated with movement, with 甬, which gives the sound.

Open 通 →

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 曉; 晓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
日日rìsun
Sound part声符shēngfú
堯
堯yáo曉xiǎo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 曉 puts 日, a sun, beside 堯, which gives the sound; the simplified 晓 is a shorthand and its right side is not that sound part.

Open 晓 →
Appears in
Thinking & Cognition

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