通称 (tōng chēng) — to be generally called / known as; general term, generic name

Definition

通称 (tōngchēng) is a formal term for the name most people use for something — 'commonly called' or the 'common/generic name'. Slightly more bookish than 叫做, which is the everyday 'be called' phrasing.

verb
to be generally called / known asgeneral termgeneric name

Examples

  • 通称。
    Zhè zhǒng bìng tōng chēng gǎn mào.
    This illness is commonly known as a cold.
  • 通称，。
    Xióng māo tōng chēng māo xióng, dàn dà jiā xí guàn jiào tā xióng māo.
    The panda is generally called 'cat-bear', but everyone is used to calling it 'panda'.
  • 通称。
    Zhè zhǒng huà hé wù tōng chēng yǐ chún.
    This compound is commonly known as ethanol.

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tōnggenerally
称chēngcall

通 “generally” and 称 “call” give be generally called.

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 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hérice
Sound part声符shēngfú
爯
爯chēng稱chēng
Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Open 称 →

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