网络
wǎng luò · HSK 4
Internet
🕸️ 网 = net + 络 = wrap/connect; literally a connecting net
网 means net or web (the character itself depicts a fishing net). 络 means to wind, wrap, or connect things together. Combined, 网络 names any web-like system of connections — computer networks, transport grids, telecom lines.
网 — net radical 冂 + 亡 (phonetic)
網 (simplified 网) originally pictured a hunting or fishing net, with crossed mesh lines inside a frame. The modern simplified form 网 keeps that net shape directly. The traditional 網 adds 糸 (silk thread) for the material and 亡 as a phonetic hint for the wǎng sound.
络 — silk radical 糹 + 各 (each, phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: the silk radical 糹 gives the meaning 'thread' or 'net', while 各 supplies the sound. Originally referring to fibers twisted into a net or web, it extended to mean 'network', 'to wind around', and by metaphor the body's meridians and connections.
wǎng luò · HSK 4
internet
🕸️ 网 = net + 络 = web/threads; together: net of threads = network
网 means net (originally a fishing net). 络 means to twist threads together or a web of strands. Combined, the compound names any web-like network — including the internet (互联网) and computer networks.
网 — net radical 冂 + 亡 (phonetic)
網 (simplified 网) originally pictured a hunting or fishing net, with crossed mesh lines inside a frame. The modern simplified form 网 keeps that net shape directly. The traditional 網 adds 糸 (silk thread) for the material and 亡 as a phonetic hint for the wǎng sound.
络 — silk radical 糹 + 各 (each, phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: the silk radical 糹 gives the meaning 'thread' or 'net', while 各 supplies the sound. Originally referring to fibers twisted into a net or web, it extended to mean 'network', 'to wind around', and by metaphor the body's meridians and connections.