Definitions

xīn (bound form) the pith of the rush plant (used as a lampwick)
xìn used in 芯子[xìn zi]; Taiwan pr. [xīn]

Etymology

The heart  of a plant  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 芯 is a phono-semantic compound, with the grass radical 艹 on top linking it to plants, and the heart radical 心 below providing the phonetic element while also hinting at a central core. Its original meaning referred to the soft inner pith of plants like rushes, which were used to make oil lamp wicks. This sense of a central, essential core has been extended in modern times to denote a semiconductor microchip or the vital processing center of a computing device.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个灯需要更换。

Zhège dēngxīn xūyào gēnghuàn.

This wick needs to be replaced.

蜡烛的点着了。

Làzhú de xīn diǎn zháo le.

The candle wick is lit.

片是电脑的核心。

Xīnpiàn shì diànnǎo de héxīn.

The chip is the core of the computer.

这个处理器有八个

Zhège chǔlǐqì yǒu bā gè xīn.

This processor has eight cores.

他们研发了新型片。

Tāmen yánfā le xīnxíng xīnpiàn.

They developed a new type of chip.

子的质量决定寿命。

Xīnzi de zhìliàng juédìng shòumìng.

The quality of the core determines the lifespan.

这款手机的片性能卓越。

Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de xīnpiàn xìngnéng zhuóyuè.

The chip performance of this phone is outstanding.

工程师正在测试片的耐用性。

Gōngchéngshī zhèngzài cèshì xīnpiàn de nàiyòngxìng.

The engineer is testing the durability of the chip.