防震 (fáng zhèn) — (verb-object) to protect against earthquakes; to be earthquake-proof; (often used as a modifier) shockproof; earthquake-resistant

Definition

A verb-object compound meaning 'to protect against earthquakes', often used as a modifier meaning 'shockproof' or 'earthquake-resistant' for buildings or devices.

verb
(verb-object) to protect against earthquakesto be earthquake-proof(often used as a modifier) shockproofearthquake-resistant

Examples

  • 防震。
    Zhè dòng lóu de shè jì kǎo lǜ le fáng zhèn.
    The design of this building considered earthquake protection.
  • ，。
    Zhè ge dì qū bì xū fáng hǎo zhèn, bù rán hěn wēi xiǎn.
    This area must be well-protected against earthquakes; otherwise it's dangerous.
  • 防震。
    Wǒ zài zhǎo yí kuài fáng zhèn shǒu biǎo.
    I am looking for a shockproof watch.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

防fángguard against
震zhènearthquake

防 means guard against and 震 refers to earthquake, so together they mean protect against earthquakes.

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
阝Written in full as阜fù
Sound part声符shēngfú
方
方fāng防fáng
Same sound today

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

Open 防 →

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
雨雨yǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
辰
辰chén震zhèn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

震 combines 雨 (rain) with 辰 (chén), which gives the sound; 雨 is the part associated with the character’s meaning.

Open 震 →

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