铭 (míng) — (bound form) to engrave, to carve (as in inscriptions); (bound form) to imprint firmly (on one's memory); (bound form) an inscription (e.g. on a tablet)
Definition
铭 (míng) is a bound morpheme meaning to engrave or carve — almost always part of a compound like 铭记 (engrave in memory) or 座右铭 (motto). It is rarely used as a standalone word.
bound form
to engraveto carve (as in inscriptions)to imprint firmly (on one's memory)an inscription (e.g. on a tablet)
Easily confused
- 酩mǐnglook-alike(bound morpheme) used in 酩酊, meaning dead drunk
- 名míngsound-alikename
- 铬gèlook-alikechromium
- 明míngsound-alike(bound form) bright, clear (literal or figurative)
- 冥míngsound-alike(bound form) netherworld; underworld
- 鸣míngsound-aliketo chirp, to cry (of birds, animals, insects); to make a sound (of a horn, bell, etc.)
Examples
- 。Wǒ huì yǒng yuǎn míng jì nǐ de ēn qíng.I will always remember your kindness.
- 。Zhè kuài shí bēi shàng míng kè zhe gǔ dài de wén zì.This stone tablet bears an ancient inscription.
- 。Zuò yòu míng néng jī lì rén bú duàn jìn bù.A motto can inspire people to keep improving.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 銘; 铭 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 銘 has 金 (metal) and 名 (name), and refers to engraving in metal; the simplified 铭 is a later shorthand.
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