“放大、高大、最大、远大、强大”都是词，不是短语。

“放大、高大、最大、远大、强大”都是词，不是短语。

In Chinese linguistics, the classification of "放大、高大、最大、远大、强大" as words (单纯词/合成词) rather than phrases (短语) hinges on their structural integrity and lexicalization. These two-character combinations function as single semantic units with fixed meanings, unlike free phrases where components retain independent lexical status.

放大 (fàngdà, "to enlarge") and 强大 (qiángdà, "powerful") are verb-complement compounds (动补式合成词) where the first morpheme denotes an action and the second its result. Their meanings cannot be derived simply by combining individual characters: "放" (put) + "大" (big) creates "enlarge," not literal "put big."

高大 (gāodà, "tall and big") and 远大 (yuǎndà, "ambitious") are coordinate compounds (联合式合成词) combining two synonymous or complementary morphemes. "高" (tall) + "大" (big) intensifies to describe imposing stature, while "远" (far) + "大" (big) evolves beyond literal "far big" to mean "visionary."

最大 (zuìdà, "biggest") represents a modifier-head compound (偏正式合成词) with "最" (most) functioning as a degree adverb modifying "大" (big). This fixed structure differs from free phrases like "非常大" (fēicháng dà, "very big"), where adverbs can be freely replaced.

These formations demonstrate Chinese word-building principles: morphemes combine into fixed units with semantic cohesion exceeding mere character sum. Their grammatical behavior—functioning as adjectives or verbs without separable components—further distinguishes them from phrases. How might analyzing such compounds enhance understanding of Chinese semantic compression?