Definition
障 is a bound morpheme (b.f.) that never stands alone; it always appears in compound words. It has two main semantic groups: one related to blocking or obstacles (e.g., 障碍 'obstacle', 路障 'roadblock', 故障 'malfunction') and one related to guarding or protecting (e.g., 保障 'to guarantee', 屏障 'protective barrier'). Recognizing 障 in these compounds helps you infer meaning.
b.f.
(bound form) barrierobstacle(bound form) to guardto protect
Examples
- 。Jǐngchá zài lùshàng shèzhì le lùzhàng.The police set up roadblocks on the road.
- 。Fǎlǜ bǎozhàng le gōngmín de héfǎ quányì.The law protects the legitimate rights of citizens.
- 。Zhè tái jīqì chū le gùzhàng.This machine has a malfunction.
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