骨干 (gǔ gàn) — (noun) backbone, key figure, core member (in an… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

In everyday use 骨干 means the core member or key figure holding up a team — close to 支柱 and 脊梁, but 骨干 emphasizes a person (骨干员工), while 脊梁/支柱 are used for groups or systems.

noun

backbonekey figurecore member (in an organization or team)diaphysis (the long shaft of a bone, medical term)

Measure word · 个

Examples

骨干，。
Tā shì gōng sī gǔ gàn, méi yǒu tā bù xíng.
She is the backbone of the company; we can't do without her.
骨干。
gǔ gàn Yuán gōng yīng gāi dé dào gèng duō péi xùn jī huì.
Key employees should get more training opportunities.
骨干，。
Yī shēng fā xiàn tā de gǔ gàn yǒu liè fèng, xū yào jìn yí bù jiǎn chá.
The doctor found a crack in his diaphysis and needs further examination.

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.

骨 (bone) and 干 (shaft) picture the main shaft of a bone, then a key member.

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.

The simplified 干 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (饼干, 干杯) it is 乾; in others (干, 干活儿) (干扰) it is 幹 or 干.

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 乾; 干 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

倝

倝gàn乾gān

Same sound today

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Body Parts Groups & Organizations

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