鞋跟 (xié gēn) — heel (of a shoe) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

heel (of a shoe)

Measure word · 只

Examples

鞋跟，。
Zhè shuāng xié de xié gēn tài gāo le, zǒu lù bù shū fu.
The heels of these shoes are too high; they're uncomfortable to walk in.
鞋跟，。
Wǒ de xié gēn mó huài le, dé qù xiū xié diàn huàn yí gè.
My shoe heel is worn out; I need to go to the shoe repair shop to replace it.
，鞋跟。
Tā bù xiǎo xīn cǎi dào shuǐ kēng, xié gēn quán shī le.
She accidentally stepped into a puddle, and the heels got completely wet.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

鞋 gives shoe and 跟 gives heel, naming the heel part of a shoe.

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.

革圭鞋

Meaning part形符xíngfú

革革géleather

Sound part声符shēngfú

圭

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

鞋 puts 革 (leather) beside 圭 to show leather shoes; 圭 gives the sound and originally drew a pair of ritual axes, not earth.

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

足足zúfoot

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn跟gēn

Same sound today

跟 is built from 足 (foot) plus 艮. The 足 part ties the character to foot-related senses, while 艮 gives the sound.

Appears in

Footwear & Accessories

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