镂空 (lòu kōng) — to hollow out, to carve out decorative patterns (in metal, jade, paper, etc.)

Definition

镂空 is a crafts technique verb: to hollow out or carve openwork patterns in a solid material (metal, jade, wood, paper). The result is decorative cut-through designs, not engraving a surface.

verb
to hollow out, to carve out decorative patterns (in metal, jade, paper, etc.)

Examples

  • 镂空。
    Gōng jiàng yòng gōng jù bǎ jīn shǔ piàn lòu kōng chéng jīng měi de tú àn.
    The craftsman used tools to hollow out the metal sheet into exquisite patterns.
  • 镂空，。
    Zhè jiàn yù qì cǎi yòng le lòu kōng diāo kè jì shù, fēi cháng jīng zhì.
    This jade piece uses hollow-carving technique and is very delicate.
  • 镂空。
    Shè jì shī zài chuāng hu shàng lòu kōng chū měi lì de tú àn.
    The designer carved out beautiful patterns on the window.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

镂lòucarve
空kōnghollow

镂 carves or engraves, and 空 gives the hollow openings, so it means to carve out openwork.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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
穴穴xuécave, hole
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng空kōng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Open 空 →

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