A binding word 连绵词 in Chinese is a word composed of two characters, which are inseparable and always appear together except in special cases. Since a binding word is composed of two characters, it’s very necessary to know how a binding word if formed. There are several kinds of ways as to the formation of binding words.
a). Two characters of the binding word have the same consonant.
Examples: 琵琶 pí pá, pipa; 蹊跷 qī qiāo odd; 忐忑tǎn tè, mentally disturbed; 伶俐 líng lì, smart
b). Two characters of the binding word have the the same vowel.
Examples: 叮咛 dīng níng, exhort; 徘徊 pái huái, wander around ; 傀儡 kuǐ lěi, puppet; 唠叨 láo dao, chatter; 蹒跚 pán shān, hobble, walk haltingly; 窈窕 yǎo tiǎo, gentle and graceful
c). Both the consonant and vowel of the two characters are similar or the same.
Examples: 辗转 zhǎn zhuǎn, pass through many hands or places; 缱绻 qiǎn quǎn, deeply attached to each other
d). Neither the consonant nor the vowel of the two characters are the same.
Examples: 妯娌 zhóu lǐ, sisters-in-law; 芙蓉 fú róng, lotus; 蝴蝶 hú dié, butterfly; 玛瑙 mǎ nǎo, agate; 葡萄 pú tao, grape
A binding word can’t be separated. A separate character of a binding word does not make sense, e.g. 尴 alone can’t be used; 忐 alone can’t be used; etc.
真蹊，这事怎么会发生呢？Zhēn qī, zhè shì zěn me huì fā shēng ne? ❌
真跷，这事怎么会发生呢？Zhēn qiāo, zhè shì zěn me huì fā shēng ne?❌
真蹊跷，这事怎么会发生呢？Zhēn qī qiāo, zhè shì zěn me huì fā shēng ne? ✔
我看到一个猩。Wǒ kàn dào yī gè xīng. ❌
我看到一个猩猩。Wǒ kàn dào yī gè xīng xing ✔
我妯在医院工作。Wǒ zhóu zài yī yuàn gōng zuò. ❌
我娌在医院工作。Wǒ lǐ zài yī yuàn gōng zuò.❌
我妯娌在医院工作。Wǒ zhóu lǐ zài yī yuàn gōng zuò.✔
See also:
Character formation in Chinese