Chinese word

奏

Pronunciation

Pinyinzòu

Meaning

  • verbtake effect

Example

这种药很快就奏效了。zhè zhǒng yào hěn kuài jiù zòu xiào le

This medicine took effect very quickly.

Illustration for 奏 (take effect)

More examples

这项改革并没有马上奏效。zhè xiàng gǎi gé bìng méi yǒu mǎ shàng zòu xiào

This reform did not take effect right away.

Core concept

A deliberate act is put forth and brings a response, from a performance being heard to a measure working.

Common phrases

  • 奏效zòu xiào

    take effect

  • 很快就奏效hěn kuài jiù zòu xiào

    take effect very quickly

Similar words

起作用qǐ zuò yòng: Has an active effect and makes something work or change.
生效shēng xiào: Comes into force or begins to work effectively.
见效jiàn xiào: Shows clear signs that an effect or result has appeared.
发挥作用fā huī zuò yòng: Makes its abilities or resources work to achieve an effect.

Definition in Chinese

表示产生效果，常见于合成词“奏效”；另有演奏、上奏等义。biǎo shì chǎn shēng xiào guǒ cháng jiàn yú hé chéng cí zòu xiào lìng yǒu yǎn zòu shàng zòu děng yì

Word origin

奏 (zòu, "to perform or present") originally referred to presenting music or a report, and its sense broadened to an action producing a result in 奏效 (zòu xiào, "to take effect").

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this verb usually appears in a compound, so a standalone use can sound formal even when the meaning is familiar.

Other meanings

  • succeedverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word