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室 is a phonosemantic compound: the roof radical 宀, placed on top, denotes a building or dwelling, while the lower component 至 (zhì) supplies the sound and also carries the meaning "to arrive". The character thus suggests a covered place where one arrives to settle or rest. Historically, it referred specifically to the inner, private rooms of a house, as distinguished from the outer halls and courtyards where public or formal activities were held. Over time, its meaning widened to encompass any room, chamber, or enclosed compartment, and it now appears widely in compounds for modern specialized spaces, such as classrooms, laboratories, and offices.
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Example Sentences Hide
这是我的卧室。
他的办公室很大。
我们在会议室开会。
实验室里很安静。
晚上我在浴室洗澡。
因为下雨，我们在室内打球。
图书室比教室更安静。
公司的新会议室配备了先进的设备。
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