(shì) — (bound form) decoration; ornament; (bound form) to play the role of; to act as

Definition

饰 is a bound form, almost always seen inside compounds like 装饰 (decorate/decoration), 首饰 (jewelry), or 饰演 (play a role). Use a compound to express the specific meaning — 饰 alone doesn't usually stand alone as a word.

bound form
decorationornamentto play the role ofto act as

Examples

  • Tā zài jù zhōng shì yǎn zhǔ jué.
    He plays the lead role in the play.
  • Zhè ge fáng jiān de zhuāng shì hěn piào liang.
    The decoration of this room is very beautiful.
  • Tā dài le yí jiàn piào liang de shǒu shì.
    She wore a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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 飾; 饰 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
jīncloth
Sound part声符shēngfú
shì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 飾 pairs 巾 (cloth) with 飤 as a sound part; the simplified 饰 is a later abbreviation.

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