香瓜 (xiāng guā) — muskmelon

Definition

noun
muskmelon
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 香瓜，。
    Zhè ge xiāng guā hěn tián, nǐ cháng cháng.
    This muskmelon is very sweet, have a taste.
  • 。
    Xià tiān wǒ zuì xǐ huan chī xiāng guā.
    In summer I like eating muskmelon the most.
  • 香瓜。
    Mā ma mǎi le yí gè xiāng guā huí lái.
    Mom bought a muskmelon and brought it back.

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.

香xiāngfragrant
瓜guāmelon

香瓜 is 香 fragrant plus 瓜 melon, a fragrant melon.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

香's early form paired 黍 (glutinous millet) with 口 (mouth), perhaps showing millet drink being taken in or offered.

Open 香 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 瓜 is drawn from a melon hanging from its vines, which matches its meaning.

Open 瓜 →

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