Regarding some reduplicated words of Chinese origin: explain, cheer up, trouble

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - In the previous issue of our "Talking About Words" column, we discussed some reduplicative words of Chinese origin such as "mong muoi" (primitive), "mong mi" (dreamy), and "mo mong" (dreamy). In this article, we continue to analyze the meanings of the elements in the reduplicative words of Chinese origin such as "phan tra" (explain), "phan tran" (excited), and "phien phuc" (troublesome). (The text in quotation marks after the entry number is the original text from the Dictionary of Vietnamese Reduplicative Words - Institute of Linguistics - edited by Hoang Van Hanh; the new line contains our analysis and discussion):

1 - “To explain/explain thoroughly, hoping that others will understand and sympathize with you without thinking badly of you in a certain matter. To try to explain that you had no intention of harming your friend.”

The word 分陳 (phân trần) is a Sino-Vietnamese compound word [historically understood], in which 分 (phân) means to explain, to clarify, to explain (as in "Butterflies hang under the fig tree/ If you want to distinguish between friend and foe, come closer and you will see" - folk song); 陳 (trần) means to present (as in "trần thuật" (narrative); "trần tình" (confessing feelings).

The Chinese Dictionary explains: “分: to analyze; to explain.” [original text 分: 分解; 排解]; “陳: to narrate; to explain clearly.” [original text 陳: 陳述; 述說].

The word 分陳 (phan tran) is synonymous with clarifying, explaining, or revealing one's feelings (for example: "It's hard to complain, hard to breathe, and hard to explain/ Hair can't be braided, hair is tangled; the heart aches if the intestines aren't calmed" - Folk poem).

We did not find any Chinese dictionary or Chinese dictionary that collected this word. It is highly likely that this is a Sino-Vietnamese word (a word formed from elements of Chinese origin, found only in Vietnamese).

2 - “EXCITED. A state of feeling enthusiastic and energetic, due to some influence. A state of high spirits.”

The word 奮振 (fēnzhēn) is a compound word of Chinese origin [historical meaning], in which 奮 (fēn) means to rise up, to become enthusiastic (as in 奮起 (fēnzhē); 奮鬥 (fēnzhǔ); 振 (zhēn) means to rise up, to rectify (as in 振興 (zhēnxíng):

- The Chinese Dictionary explains: “fén: to be excited [original text 奮: 振奮]; “zhén: to be excited, to be enthusiastic” [original text 振: 奮起,振作]; “fénzhén: 1. to be excited; 2. to be enthusiastic, to be energetic.” [original text 奮振: 1.揚起; 2. 振奮].

- Vietnamese Dictionary (edited by Hoang Phe - Vietlex Dictionary Center, version with Chinese characters for Sino-Vietnamese words): “phấn chấn • 奮振 t. in a state of enthusiasm and excitement due to the impact of a positive event or thought, in accordance with one's wishes: a spirit of enthusiasm ~ “A new source of hope quickly lifted my spirits again” (Doan Gioi). Synonyms: enthusiastic, eager, excited * the Chinese word chấn phấn 振奮 is reversed.”

Reference: Hoang Phe's Vietnamese dictionary explains "phấn chấn" as "the inverted Chinese word for "chấn phấn" 振奮". However, in Chinese, there are two synonymous words: "phấn chấn" 奮振 and "chấn phấn" 振奮.

3 - “TROUBLESOME. Complex and troublesome, causing difficulties and obstacles. Many cumbersome documents.”

The word 繁複 (fēnfù) is a compound word of Chinese origin [contemporary meaning]: 繁 (fēnfù), meaning many, numerous, troublesome, complicated, flourishing, prosperous (as in "don't bother me anymore"; 繁榮 = flourishing; 繁榮; 繁華; 繁榮); 複 (fùfù), meaning many, numerous, the opposite of 單 (as in 複雜; 複合; simple sentence, complex sentence):

- The Chinese Dictionary explains four related meanings: “繁: 1. many; 2. flourishing, prosperous; 3. full, thriving; 4. chaotic, dense” [original text 繁: 1.多; 2.盛大, 旺盛; 3.茂盛, 興盛; 4.雜亂, 蕪雜]; “複: many, numerous, complex” [複: 繁多, 複雜]; “繁複: many, numerous and complex” [original text 繁複: 繁多而複雜].

Reference: Etymological Dictionary (Bửu Kế) explains: “Phiền-phức 蘩輻 means numerous, many. Phức means the flower handle of a carriage. Phiền-phức means numerous and complicated, like the flower handle of a carriage.”

However, many sources we have at hand do not record the character 輻 in the word 蘩輻 meaning "flower-shaped wheel handle," as explained in the Etymological Dictionary.

Thus, "phân trần" and "phấn chấn" are words composed of elements of Chinese origin, but both or one of them cannot function independently, so they are often considered reduplicated words. However, with the word "phiền phiền," both "phiền" and "phức" can stand independently, so "phiền phiền" is not a reduplicated word.

Hoang Trinh Son (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-mot-so-tu-lay-goc-han-phan-tran-phan-chan-phien-phuc-250586.htm