防锈 (fáng xiù) — to rust-proof, to prevent rust; anti-rust

Definition

A technical term meaning 'to prevent rust' or 'rust-proof', typically used for treating metal surfaces (e.g. with coatings or oil).

verb

to rust-proofto prevent rustanti-rust

防锈。
Zhè zhǒng qī kě yǐ fáng xiù.
This type of paint can prevent rust.
，。
Zhè ge líng jiàn yǐ jīng fáng le xiù, bú yòng zài chǔ lǐ le.
This part has already been rust-proofed, no need to treat it again.
防锈。
Tā gěi jīn shǔ biǎo miàn tú le yī céng fáng xiù yóu.
He applied a layer of anti-rust oil to the metal surface.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

防 means to stop, and 锈 means rust, so they describe stopping rust from forming.

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.

阝方防

Meaning part形符xíngfú

阝Written in full as阜fù

Sound part声符shēngfú

方

Same sound today

防 pairs 阝 (written fully as 阜) with 方, which gives the sound.

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 鏽; 锈 is its simplified writing.

金肅鏽

Meaning part形符xíngfú

金金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

肅

肅sù鏽xiù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The etymology shown is for 鏽: 鏽 pairs 金 (metal) with 肅 as the sound part.