指南针

• Pinyin: zhǐ nán zhēn
• Desglose de hanzi: 指南 = point south; 针 = 钅+ 十 (metal needle)

Significado

Brújula.

Both literal and figurative uses. Literally, the navigational instrument. Figuratively, something that provides moral or strategic direction: 道德指南针 (moral compass), 人生指南针 (life compass). A source of national pride as a Chinese invention.

Ejemplos

1. 古代航海家依靠指南针在茫茫大海中确定航向。
2. 指南针是中国古代四大发明之一，对世界航海史影响深远。
3. 良知是每个人心中的道德指南针，指引我们辨别是非。

Guía de uso

Contexto: navigation, history, figurative guidance

Tono: neutral

Correcto

• 登山时务必携带指南针，以防在山林中迷失方向。(When climbing mountains, be sure to carry a compass to avoid losing your way in the forest.)
• 这位导师是我学术道路上的指南针，为我指明方向。(This mentor is the compass on my academic path, pointing me in the right direction.)

Incorrecto

• 我的手机有指南针功能所以不需要真的指南针 — while true, the sentence structure is awkward; use 手机上有指南针应用 for natural phrasing

Origen e historia

指南 (point south) + 针 (needle) — a needle that points south

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal