Definitions

(noun,adjective) nucleus; nuclear
(noun) pit; stone (of fruit)
(verb) to examine; to verify

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 核, constructed from the semantic wood radical 木 and the phonetic component 亥, originally referred specifically to the hard inner seed of a fruit, such as a stone or pit. This composition logically aligned its meaning with botanical elements while the phonetic part guided its pronunciation. From this concrete origin, the term gradually extended to denote the central or essential part of any entity, allowing it to encompass abstract cores and pivotal elements. This conceptual widening later facilitated its integration into modern scientific language, where it designates structures like the nucleus of a cell or the core of an atom. Alongside these nominal uses, the character also developed a verbal function relating to careful inspection and verification, a sense derived from the idea of scrutinizing the fundamental or central facts of a subject.

Example Sentences Hide

这个桃子有一个

Zhège táozi yǒu yīgè hé.

This peach has a pit.

心团队很重要。

Héxīn tuánduì hěn zhòngyào.

The core team is very important.

能是一种清洁能源。

Hénéng shì yī zhǒng qīngjié néngyuán.

Nuclear energy is a type of clean energy.

我们需要对一下数据。

Wǒmen xūyào héduì yīxià shùjù.

We need to check the data.

电站必须安全运行。

Hédiànzhàn bìxū ānquán yùnxíng.

Nuclear power plants must operate safely.

武器扩散是国际关切的问题。

Héwǔqì kuòsàn shì guójì guānqiè de wèntí.

The proliferation of nuclear weapons is an issue of international concern.

医生建议他做磁共振检查。

Yīshēng jiànyì tā zuò hécí gòngzhèn jiǎnchá.

The doctor suggested that he undergo an MRI scan.

计成本是项目管理的关键。

Héjì chéngběn shì xiàngmù guǎnlǐ de guānjiàn.

Calculating costs is key to project management.