About
The character 礁, which refers to a reef or a rock lying near the water's surface, is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the stone radical 石 providing the semantic category and the component 焦 acting primarily as a phonetic indicator. Its etymology is straightforward, as the meaning derives directly from the stone element, while the phonetic part suggests pronunciation without contributing semantically, despite 焦's independent associations with scorching or dryness. Over its history, the term initially described natural stone formations that posed dangers to navigation, and its usage later extended to include biologically formed structures like coral reefs, reflecting a broader application within maritime terminology. The character's composition has remained consistent, maintaining its original form without alteration.
Example Sentences Hide
海里有很多礁石。
小心水下的暗礁。
珊瑚礁非常美丽。
船只经常触碰礁石。
那片礁区是航海者的噩梦。
由于暗礁遍布，航行必须谨慎。
探险队发现了古老的礁岩化石。
在风暴中，灯塔的光芒指引船只远离险峻的礁群。