标致
biāo zhi · HSK 7
pretty
🚗🌹 标 standard + 致 fine = a fine standard of beauty; doubles as Peugeot
Peugeot chose 标致 as their Chinese name because it sounds close to their brand AND means beautiful. The parts: 标 mark/standard + 致 fine/delicate.
标 — tree 木 + 票 (ticket/phonetic)
Originally written 標, this is a semantic-phonetic compound: 木 (tree) gives the meaning and 票 supplies the sound. It first referred to the tip or top of a tree, then extended to any marker, sign, or label placed at a prominent point. The simplified form 标 keeps the same structure with a reduced phonetic.
致 — arrive 至 + strike/go 攵
Originally a compound of 至 (to arrive, showing an arrow reaching the ground) and 攵 (a hand with a stick, indicating action). Together they suggested 'to cause to arrive' or 'to send/deliver,' which broadened into modern senses like 'to send, devote, or bring about.'