号码
hàomǎ · HSK 4
number
🔢 号 = number/mark + 码 = code/numeral; together: number-code
号 means a designation or mark (as in 号召 to call out), 码 means a numeric code (as in 密码 password). Stack them and you get hàomǎ, the everyday word for a phone number, serial number, or ID number.
号 — mouth 口 + tiger 虎
Originally written 號, combining 口 (mouth, indicating a cry or call) with 虎 (tiger) as the phonetic and a hint at a loud roar. It first meant to shout or call out, then extended to a name, title, or signal. The simplified form 号 keeps only the upper element.
码 — stone radical 石 + 马 (mǎ, horse, phonetic)
码 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The stone radical 石 hints at the original meaning: a small stone or weight used for counting or measuring. 马 supplies the sound mǎ. Over time the meaning broadened to 'numeral, code, yard (unit),' as in 号码 (number) and 密码 (password).
hào mǎ · HSK 4
number
🔢 号码 = 号 (mark/number) + 码 (code/numeral)
号 means a mark, label, or designation; 码 means a numeral or code (also seen in 密码 password, 号码 phone number). Together they form the everyday word for a number assigned as an identifier.
号 — mouth 口 + tiger 虎
Originally written 號, combining 口 (mouth, indicating a cry or call) with 虎 (tiger) as the phonetic and a hint at a loud roar. It first meant to shout or call out, then extended to a name, title, or signal. The simplified form 号 keeps only the upper element.
码 — stone radical 石 + 马 (mǎ, horse, phonetic)
码 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The stone radical 石 hints at the original meaning: a small stone or weight used for counting or measuring. 马 supplies the sound mǎ. Over time the meaning broadened to 'numeral, code, yard (unit),' as in 号码 (number) and 密码 (password).