Definitions

(verb) to enlighten; to guide; to educate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "迪" is structured with the walking radical "辶" indicating movement and the component "由" which historically contributed to both its phonetic value and conceptual association with following a path or reason, leading to its original meaning of to guide or to enlighten through progressive action. In early classical texts, it was employed to denote following a way or providing instruction, but its independent semantic function gradually narrowed, and in contemporary usage it appears almost exclusively within compound words such as "启迪" meaning to inspire or in transliterations for foreign terms.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们去士尼玩吧。

Wǒmen qù Díshìní wán ba.

Let's go to Disneyland to have fun.

我的朋友名叫

Wǒ de péngyou míng jiào Dídi.

My friend's name is Didi.

这辆车是奥品牌。

Zhè liàng chē shì Àodí pǐnpái.

This car is of the Audi brand.

厅的音乐太响了。

Dītīng de yīnyuè tài xiǎng le.

The music in the disco is too loud.

他的演讲启了听众。

Tā de yǎnjiǎng qǐdíle tīngzhòng.

His speech enlightened the audience.

这个理论启了我的思考。

Zhège lǐlùn qǐdíle wǒ de sīkǎo.

This theory inspired my thinking.

在比赛中表现出色。

Màidí zài bǐsài zhōng biǎoxiàn chūsè.

McGrady performed excellently in the game.

他致力于启儿童的创造力。

Tā zhìlì yú qǐdí értóng de chuàngzàolì.

He is dedicated to inspiring children's creativity.