骨灰 (gǔ huī) — ashes of the dead (after cremation) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'bone ash': the cremated remains of a deceased person. It collocates with 安放, 撒, and 捧着, and refers only to cremation ashes — not to a grave or tomb.

noun

ashes of the dead (after cremation)

Examples

骨灰。
Tā bǎ gǔ huī sā jìn le dà hǎi.
He scattered the ashes into the sea.
骨灰。
Jiā rén de gǔ huī ān fàng zài mù yuán lǐ.
The family's ashes are placed in the cemetery.
骨灰，。
Tā pěng zhe gǔ huī, lèi liú mǎn miàn.
She held the ashes, tears streaming down her face.

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 “灰” (ash) combine to mean ashes of the dead.

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.

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

又又yòuhand
火火huǒfire

灰 shows 火 (fire) that can be touched by 又 (hand), meaning ash.

Appears in

Religion & Belief

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.