骨化 (gǔ huà) — ossify (also figuratively: to become rigid or inflexible)

Definition

Literal sense: bone tissue forming, typically cartilage turning to bone. Figuratively, it means a system or mindset becoming rigid and unable to adapt.

verb
ossify (also figuratively: to become rigid or inflexible)
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，骨化。
    Suí zhe nián líng zēng zhǎng, ruǎn gǔ màn màn gǔ huà le.
    As age increases, cartilage slowly ossifies.
  • 骨化，。
    Zhè ge zǔ zhī de guǎn lǐ fāng shì yǐ jīng gǔ huà, wú fǎ shì yìng xīn biàn huà.
    This organization's management style has ossified and can't adapt to new changes.
  • 骨化。
    Shāng kǒu yù hé guò chéng zhōng kě néng fā shēng yì wèi gǔ huà.
    Heterotopic ossification may occur during wound healing.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

骨gǔbone
化huàbecome

骨 means bone and 化 means become, so ossify is to become bone-like.

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
肉肉ròu
Sound part声符shēngfú
冎
冎guǎ骨gǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The older form 冎 drew a bone; 肉, flesh, was added to make 骨.

Open 骨 →

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

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →

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