项 (xiàng) — (classifier) used for items, tasks, clauses, research projects, and other abstract entities
Definition
项 (xiàng) is the classifier for abstract, countable things — rules, tasks, projects, research items. Use 件 for clothes, objects, or general matters; 项 is reserved for items in a list, plan, or formal document.
classifier
used for itemstasksclausesresearch projectsand other abstract entities
Examples
- 项。Zhè shì yí xiàng hěn zhòng yào de yán jiū.This is a very important research project.
- 项？Nǐ yǒu jǐ xiàng rèn wu méi yǒu wán chéng?How many tasks have you not completed?
- 项。Nà xiàng guī dìng yǐ jīng gǎi le.That rule has already been changed.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 項; 项 is its simplified writing.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng項xiàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 項 combines 工 as a sound part with 頁, meaning head; the simplified 项 is a later shorthand.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.