骨密度 (gǔ mì dù) — bone density | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

bone density

Examples

骨密度。
Yī shēng jiàn yì wǒ jiǎn chá yí xià gǔ mì dù.
The doctor suggested I check my bone density.
骨密度。
gǔ mì dù Tài dī róng yì gǔ zhé.
If bone density is too low, it's easy to get fractures.
骨密度。
Duō yùn dòng kě yǐ tí gāo gǔ mì dù.
More exercise can improve bone density.

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.

密度density

密mìdense度dùdegree

偏正Modifier + head

骨 means bone, while 密度 names density; together they refer to bone density.

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

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.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

宓山密

Meaning part形符xíngfú

山山shānmountain

Sound part声符shēngfú

宓

宓mì密mì

Same sound today

密 pairs 山 (mountain) with 宓 (mì), which gives the pronunciation, to picture something hidden in the mountains, hence secret.

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

又又yòuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

石

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

度 has 又 (hand) and a changed form of 石; 石 gives a related sound, and the hand is tied to using the hand as a reference for measurement.

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