拆字解字 - Breaking Apart Hanzi
检,俭,捡,剑,脸,险,签 and 验: These 8 HSK characters are phono-semantic compounds(形声字). They were created by combining sound and meaning components.
In these characters, (qiān)佥 is used as a component which approximately represents the pronunciation, and radicals are used as semantic components to indicate meanings. 佥 itself is a character, but it is not a commonly used one.
qiān 佥 all
脸 | 俭 | 捡 | 检 | 剑 | 险 | 签 | 验 |
1. liǎn 脸 face Radical: 月
The left part of 脸 represents body part. 脸 means face.
liǎn
脸
face
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Nǐ de liǎn zěnmele?
你的脸怎么了？
What is the matter with your face?
2. jiǎn 俭 frugal | to be in need Radical: 亻
俭 means frugal.
qínjiǎn
勤俭
diligence and frugality | hardworking and thrifty
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Tā de chénggōng shì yóuyú tā de qínjiǎn.
他的成功是由于他的勤俭。
His success was due to his diligence and frugality.
3. jiǎn 捡 pick up | collect | gather Radical: 扌
捡 means to pick up.
jiǎn
捡
pick up | collect | gather
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Tā jiǎn qǐle qiú.
他捡起了球。
He picked up the ball.
4. jiǎn 检 to check | to examine | to inspect Radical: 木
检 originally means wooden bookmarks.
jiǎnyàn
检验
test | checkout | examine | inspect | verify
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Zhège jiǎnyàn jiéguǒ lìng rén hěn mǎnyì.
这个检验结果令人很满意。
The results of this test are very satisfactory.
5. jiàn 剑 (double-edged) sword Radical: 刂
The right part of 剑 represents weapons. 剑 means sword.
jiàn
剑
sword
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Zhèxiē jiàn yǒu bùtóng de chǐcùn hé xíngzhuàng.
这些剑有不同的尺寸和形状。
The swords have different sizes and shapes.
6. xiǎn 险 danger | dangerous | rugged Radical: 阝
The left part of 险 represents rugged hill. 险 means danger.
màoxiǎn
冒险
adventure | take a risk | run a risk | venture
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Shēnghuó yīnggāi shì yīcì màoxiǎn.
生活应该是一次冒险。
Life should be an adventure.
7. qiān 签 sign one's name; | a note | a stick Radical: 竹
The upper part of 签 represents bamboo slips. Ancient people used to write on bamboo slips. The original meaning of 签 is "sign one's name".
qiānshǔ
签署
sign
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Wǒmen zhǔnbèi qiānshǔ zhège tiáoyuē.
我们准备签署这个条约。
We are ready to sign this treaty.
8. yàn 验 to examine | to test | to check Radical: 马
验 used to be horse’s name. It now means "to check".
cèyàn
测验
quiz | test | trial run | examination | testing
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Nǐ bìxū tōngguò zhè xiàng cèyàn.
你必须通过这项测验。
You must pass this quiz.
Through these samples now you know how a phono-semantic compound works. As a matter of fact, more than 70% of HSK characters are phono-semantic compounds, and more than 90% of modern Chinese characters are phono-semantic compounds. By breaking them apart, you will find it easier to recognize and remember Hanzi. Moreover, you will find how these words connect to each other.
