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针线 (zhēn xiàn) — needle and thread; needlework, sewing

Definition

针线 refers to the basic sewing tools (needle and thread) as a set, and by extension the act of sewing itself. It usually appears in compounds like 针线活 ('sewing work') or 针线包 ('sewing kit').

noun
needle and threadneedleworksewing

Examples

  • 。
    Nǎi nai de zhēn xiàn huó zuò dé fēi cháng hǎo.
    Grandma's sewing work is very good.
  • 针线，。
    Tā ná chū zhēn xiàn, kāi shǐ féng bǔ yī fu.
    She took out needle and thread and began mending clothes.
  • 针线。
    Jǐng chá cóng xiàn chǎng zhǎo dào le yì xiē zhēn xiàn xiàn suǒ.
    The police found some clues (lit. 'needle-and-thread clues') at the scene.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

针zhēnneedle
线xiànthread

针 (needle) and 线 (thread) name the tools together, so needlework or a trace.

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 針; 针 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
釒Written in full as金jīnmetal
Sound part声符shēngfú
十
十shí針zhēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 針 puts 釒, the metal side, beside 十, which gives the sound; 针 is a simplified shorthand.

Open 针 →

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 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →
Appears in
Crafts & Handiwork

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