副

fù

刂 + 畐

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

fù (adjective) deputy; assistant; vice-

fù (adjective) secondary; auxiliary

fù (classifier) measure word for pairs; sets of things (e.g.: sunglasses); facial expressions

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 畐 represents the sound.

Semantic: 刂 Phonetic: 畐

About

副 is a phonosemantic compound: the knife radical 刂 on the right suggests cutting or splitting, while 畐 on the left provides the sound. Its original meaning was to cleave something in two with a blade. The meaning later shifted to secondary or auxiliary roles, such as a deputy, and to a measure word for pairs or sets (e.g., gloves, facial expressions).

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是我们的副班长。

Tā shì wǒmen de fù bānzhǎng.

He is our deputy monitor.

这种药有副作用。

Zhè zhǒng yào yǒu fùzuòyòng.

This kind of medicine has side effects.

请给我一份副本。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yī fèn fùběn.

Please give me a copy.

他担任副经理一职。

Tā dānrèn fù jīnglǐ yī zhí.

He holds the position of deputy manager.

农业有很多副产品。

Nóngyè yǒu hěnduō fùchǎnpǐn.

Agriculture has many by-products.

这幅画是副本，不是原作。

Zhè fú huà shì fùběn, bù shì yuánzuò.

This painting is a copy, not the original.

副总统将出席这次会议。

Fù zǒngtǒng jiāng chūxí zhè cì huìyì.

The vice president will attend this meeting.

除了正职，他还有一份副业。

Chúle zhèngzhí, tā hái yǒu yī fèn fùyè.

Besides his main job, he also has a side job.

Related Characters

Component: 刂

Component: 畐

副