艇

tǐng

廷 + 舟

Definitions

tǐng (noun) vessel; small ship

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 舟 represents the meaning and 廷 represents the sound.

Semantic: 舟 Phonetic: 廷

About

艇 is a phono-semantic compound: the left-side component 舟 (boat) signals the meaning, while the right-side component 廷 provides the sound. Historically, the character denoted a small, light vessel built for speed and maneuverability, not for hauling heavy cargo. Although the basic link to boats never changed, technological progress led the character to be applied to a wider range of craft, from modern motorboats and racing shells to large underwater vessels such as military submarines.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一艘小艇。

Zhè shì yī sōu xiǎo tǐng.

This is a small boat.

救生艇已经准备好了。

Jiùshēngtǐng yǐjīng zhǔnbèi hǎo le.

The lifeboat is already prepared.

他们喜欢划橡皮艇。

Tāmen xǐhuān huá xiàngpítǐng.

They enjoy paddling the rubber dinghy.

公园的湖里有脚踏艇。

Gōngyuán de hú li yǒu jiǎotàtǐng.

There are pedal boats on the park's lake.

海军拥有先进的潜艇。

Hǎijūn yōngyǒu xiānjìn de qiántǐng.

The navy possesses advanced submarines.

他们乘快艇出海钓鱼。

Tāmen chéng kuàitǐng chūhǎi diàoyú.

They went fishing offshore on a speedboat.

那艘豪华游艇非常昂贵。

Nà sōu háohuá yóutǐng fēichīng ángguì.

That luxurious yacht is very expensive.

探险队驾驶飞艇穿越峡谷。

Tànxiǎnduì jiàshǐ fēitǐng chuānyuè xiágǔ.

The expedition team piloted an airship through the canyon.

Related Characters

Component: 廷

Component: 舟

艇