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A2 verb 11 min read

编织

bianzhi
Examples 编织 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 编织 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 编织 (biānzhī) simply as 'making things with your hands using wool or string.' Even though it is an A2 word, you might see it in pictures of people knitting sweaters. You don't need to worry about the difficult metaphorical meanings yet. Just remember that 编 (biān) and 织 (zhī) both have the 'silk' radical (纟), which looks like a little piece of thread. This tells you the word is about string or fabric. You can use it to talk about a grandmother making a sweater (编织毛衣) or a simple basket (编织篮子). It is a verb, an action word. When you see someone moving their hands with needles and yarn, they are doing 编织. It is a slow and careful action. Think of it as a 'craft' word. In A1, we focus on the most basic physical objects that people make. If you can remember that 编织 means 'to knit' or 'to weave' a physical object, you have a great start.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 编织 in simple sentences to describe hobbies and daily activities. This is the level where the word is most commonly introduced. You can talk about what people do in their free time. For example, 'My hobby is weaving' (我的爱好是编织). You can also use it with 'resultative complements' to show what was made. For example, 'She wove the wool into a scarf' (她把毛线编织成围巾). Notice how we use the word 'into' (成) to show the finished product. At this level, you should also recognize that 编织 is a very common word in traditional Chinese culture. You might see it in stories about rural life or traditional crafts. It is important to distinguish 编织 from simple 'making' (做). 编织 is a specific kind of 'making' that involves interlacing materials. If you are making a cake, you use 做; if you are making a straw hat, you use 编织. This helps you be more precise in your descriptions of people's skills and activities.
At the B1 level, you can start exploring the metaphorical uses of 编织. While you still use it for knitting and weaving, you will also see it in more abstract contexts like 'weaving a dream' (编织梦想) or 'weaving a story' (编织故事). This suggests that the dream or story is complex and has many parts that fit together perfectly. You might use it when writing a short essay about your future or a book review. For example, 'The author wove a very interesting plot' (作者编织了一个非常有意思的情节). At this level, you should also be aware of the word's connection to nature, such as spiders weaving webs. You can use more descriptive adverbs with 编织, like 'carefully' (精心) or 'hand-woven' (手工编织). You should also be able to understand 编织 when it appears in news articles about traditional culture or 'intangible cultural heritage.' It is a word that carries a sense of value and tradition, so using it correctly adds a layer of sophistication to your Chinese.
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At the B2 level, 编织 becomes a tool for more complex literary and social descriptions. You will use it to describe the 'weaving' of social networks (编织关系网) or the 'weaving' of a complex lie (编织谎言). At this level, you understand that 编织 implies a deliberate, often intricate process. You might encounter it in political or economic news, such as 'weaving a regional trade network' (编织区域贸易网络). You should be able to distinguish 编织 from its synonyms like 交织 (to interweave/mingle) or 针织 (technical knitting). For example, you would use 交织 to describe how 'sorrow and joy are interwoven in her heart,' but use 编织 to describe how 'she carefully wove a plan for her company's future.' You can also use the passive voice more effectively, such as 'The entire plan was woven by him alone' (整个计划都是由他一个人编织的). Your understanding of the word should now include its nuances of effort, complexity, and intentionality.
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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the poetic and philosophical depth of 编织. It is often used in high-level literature to describe the fabric of reality, the passage of time, or the synthesis of different cultures. For instance, you might read about how 'history is woven from countless individual lives' (历史是由无数个人的生活编织而成的). You should be comfortable using 编织 in formal speeches, academic writing, or creative literature. You can use it to describe the 'weaving' of a philosophical system or the 'weaving' of a national identity. The word at this level often carries a sense of 'organic construction,' where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. You should also be able to analyze how the use of 编织 creates specific imagery in a text—for example, how it might evoke a sense of domesticity, tradition, or, conversely, a sense of entrapment (like a spider's web). Your usage should be precise, choosing 编织 over simpler verbs to convey a specific sense of structural complexity and artisanal care.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 编织 and can use it with the same nuance as a native speaker or a literary expert. You can use it to discuss the 'weaving' of intricate geopolitical strategies or the 'weaving' of complex psychological states in a character study. You understand the subtle differences between 编织 and terms like 构筑 (to construct), 营造 (to create an atmosphere), or 编排 (to arrange). You can use 编织 to create powerful metaphors in your own writing, perhaps comparing the 'weaving' of a digital network to the 'weaving' of traditional silk, highlighting the continuity of human ingenuity. You are also sensitive to the word's potential for irony—for instance, describing a 'beautifully woven' trap. At this level, 编织 is not just a verb but a conceptual framework for understanding how disparate elements are brought together to form a cohesive, intricate whole. You can engage in deep discussions about the cultural semiotics of 'weaving' in Chinese history and how the word 编织 reflects those values in modern discourse.
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Examples

编织 in 30 Seconds

  • 编织 (biānzhī) primarily means 'to knit' or 'to weave' physical objects like sweaters and baskets using various materials.
  • It is also widely used metaphorically to describe the careful construction of abstract things like dreams, stories, and lies.
  • The word carries a sense of craftsmanship, patience, and complexity, distinguishing it from simpler 'making' verbs.
  • Both characters in the word contain the silk radical (纟), highlighting its deep historical roots in textile arts.

The Chinese verb 编织 (biānzhī) is a foundational term that bridges the gap between physical handicraft and abstract conceptualization. At its most literal level, it refers to the act of interlacing threads, yarns, or strips of material to create a fabric, a basket, or a garment. In a modern English context, it most frequently translates to 'to knit' or 'to weave.' However, its usage in Chinese is broader than just these two English words. While English distinguishes strictly between knitting (using needles) and weaving (using a loom), 编织 serves as a versatile umbrella term for both, as well as for braiding and plaiting. This word is deeply rooted in China's history as a civilization that pioneered silk production and intricate textile arts. When you see an elderly person in a park working with bamboo strips to create a birdcage, they are 编织. When you see a mother creating a wool sweater for her child in the winter, she is also 编织.

Literal Craftsmanship
This refers to the physical action of creating items like 毛衣 (máoyī - sweaters), 篮子 (lánzi - baskets), or 草帽 (cǎomào - straw hats). It emphasizes the manual skill and the rhythmic nature of the work.

奶奶正在给小孙子编织一件红色的毛衣。(Grandmother is knitting a red sweater for her little grandson.)

Beyond the physical, 编织 is frequently used metaphorically to describe the creation of complex, non-tangible things. In literature and daily conversation, one can 'weave' a dream, a story, a lie, or even a social network. This metaphorical extension implies a high level of detail, effort, and interconnectedness. If someone is 'weaving a dream' (编织梦想), they are not just wishing; they are actively constructing a future through various efforts. Similarly, 'weaving a lie' (编织谎言) suggests a complex, multi-layered deception that has been carefully put together. This duality makes 编织 a powerful word in both descriptive and poetic Chinese.

Metaphorical Construction
Used when describing the process of forming abstract concepts like 梦想 (mèngxiǎng - dreams), 谎言 (huǎngyán - lies), or 关系网 (guānxìwǎng - social networks).

The word is composed of two characters: 编 (biān), which means to arrange, compile, or edit, and 织 (zhī), which specifically means to weave or knit. Both characters contain the 'silk' radical (纟), indicating their historical connection to the textile industry. In ancient times, the ability to 编织 was a vital survival skill and a primary domestic duty for women, often celebrated in folk songs and classical poetry. Today, while machines do most of the 编织 in industrial contexts (often referred to specifically as 纺织 fǎngzhī), the term 编织 retains a warm, human, and artisanal connotation. It suggests something made with care, patience, and a personal touch, which is why it is often chosen over more technical terms in emotional or artistic settings.

年轻的诗人用优美的文字编织了一个动人的故事。(The young poet wove a moving story with beautiful words.)

Cultural Nuance
In Chinese culture, 编织 is linked to the concept of 'fate' or 'destiny' (缘分), where people's lives are seen as threads being woven together by the universe.

Using 编织 correctly requires understanding whether you are describing a physical action or a figurative process. For physical actions, the structure is usually [Subject] + 编织 + [Object]. The object is typically a noun representing a finished product made of interlaced materials. For example, 'weaving a basket' is 编织篮子. When used with wool, you can say 编织毛衣, though many speakers will simply say 织毛衣 for brevity. The inclusion of 编 implies a slightly more complex or decorative process than just 织 alone. You will often see it used with resultative complements to show the outcome of the action, such as 编织成 (biānzhī chéng - to weave into).

她把这些彩色的线编织成了一条精美的手链。(She wove these colorful threads into a delicate bracelet.)

Grammar Pattern: Resultative
[Material] + 被 (bèi) + 编织 + 成 + [Product]. This passive structure is common in descriptive writing. Example: 柳条被编织成篮子 (Willow branches are woven into baskets).

In metaphorical contexts, 编织 often takes abstract nouns as objects. Common objects include 梦想 (dreams), 未来 (future), 谎言 (lies), 阴谋 (conspiracies), and 网络 (networks). Here, the verb emphasizes the intricacy and the time taken to build something complex. For instance, if a government is 'weaving a safety net' for its citizens, the term 编织安全网 (biānzhī ānquánwǎng) suggests a comprehensive and carefully planned system. If an author is 'weaving a plot,' 编织情节 (biānzhī qíngjié) implies that the story elements are tightly interconnected like the threads of a cloth.

这个骗子编织了一个巨大的谎言来欺骗投资者。(This scammer wove a massive lie to deceive investors.)

Metaphorical Objects
梦想 (mèngxiǎng), 谎言 (huǎngyán), 情节 (qíngjié), 关系 (guānxì), 蓝图 (lántú - blueprint/vision).

Another important usage is in the context of nature and biology. We often talk about spiders 'weaving' webs, which in Chinese is 蜘蛛编织蛛网 (zhīzhū biānzhī zhūwǎng). Similarly, birds 'weaving' nests is 鸟儿编织鸟巢 (niǎo'er biānzhī niǎocháo). In these cases, 编织 highlights the natural instinct and the complex architectural skill of animals. When describing natural landscapes, poets might say the mist 'weaves' through the mountains, using 编织 to create a vivid image of movement and layering.

童年时的我们，总喜欢在星空下编织未来的蓝图。(As children, we always liked to weave blueprints for the future under the starry sky.)

Common Adverbs
精心 (jīngxīn - elaborately), 辛勤 (xīnqín - industriously), 亲手 (qīnshǒu - with one's own hands), 巧妙 (qiǎomiào - ingeniously).

You will encounter 编织 in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the domestic to the professional. In a Chinese household, especially one with older generations, you might hear a grandmother talking about her 编织手艺 (biānzhī shǒuyì - weaving/knitting skills). She might ask a family member if they want a new scarf, using the verb 编织 to describe the effort she will put into it. In this context, the word carries a sense of warmth, tradition, and maternal care. It is not just about the product, but the time and love 'woven' into the item. You will also see this word in craft stores (DIY 手工店) or on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (小红书), where 'DIY weaving' is a popular trend among Gen Z as a way to unplug from the digital world.

我妈妈最擅长编织，家里所有的毛毯都是她做的。(My mom is best at knitting; all the blankets in the house were made by her.)

Daily Life Context
Hobbies, gifts, household items, and traditional markets where handmade goods are sold.

In the world of fashion and textiles, 编织 is a technical term. While 'textile industry' is 纺织业 (fǎngzhī yè), a designer might talk about the 编织纹理 (biānzhī wénlǐ - weaving texture) of a high-end fabric. In news reports about traditional intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产), you will often hear about ethnic minorities like the Miao or Zhuang people and their 编织技术 (weaving techniques). These reports highlight how 编织 is not just a craft but a repository of cultural history and identity. In this professional and cultural context, the word is treated with great respect and signifies a high level of expertise.

这种传统的竹藤编织工艺已经传承了几百年。(This traditional bamboo and rattan weaving craft has been passed down for hundreds of years.)

Professional Context
Fashion design, cultural heritage preservation, industrial manufacturing, and art exhibitions.

Finally, you will hear 编织 in more abstract, intellectual discussions. In movies or TV dramas, a villain might be accused of 'weaving a trap' (编织陷阱), or a protagonist might talk about 'weaving their own future' (编织自己的未来). In news commentary, journalists might describe a 'complex web of interests' (编织利益网) involving various companies or politicians. In these cases, 编织 is used to emphasize the complexity and the hidden nature of the connections being formed. It suggests that the situation didn't happen by accident but was 'woven' together through deliberate, often secretive, actions.

这部电影巧妙地将三个不同的时空编织在一起。(This movie ingeniously weaves three different times and spaces together.)

Abstract Context
Storytelling, political analysis, psychological descriptions, and philosophical debates.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 编织 (biānzhī) with 编写 (biānxiě). While both share the character 编 (to arrange/compile), their usages are distinct. 编写 is specifically used for writing or compiling textual materials like textbooks, programs, or reports. You 'write' (编写) a computer program, but you 'weave' (编织) a dream. If you say 编写毛衣, it sounds like you are writing a book about a sweater rather than actually making one. Always remember: 编织 involves physical or metaphorical 'interlacing,' while 编写 involves 'composing' text or code.

编织 vs. 编写
Use 编织 for crafts and abstract 'weaving' (dreams/lies). Use 编写 for writing books, code, or reports.

Another common error is the confusion between 编织 and 组织 (zǔzhī). 组织 means 'to organize' or 'to form an organization.' While you can 'organize' an event or 'form' a group, 编织 is used for the intricate 'weaving' of relationships or networks. For instance, if you want to say someone is 'building a network of contacts,' you could use 编织关系网 to emphasize the complexity. Using 组织关系网 is also possible but lacks the nuanced imagery of interlacing. However, using 编织 for 'organizing a meeting' (编织会议) is completely incorrect; you must use 组织会议.

错误：他正在编织一个新程序。(Wrong: He is weaving a new program.)
正确：他正在编写一个新程序。(Correct: He is writing a new program.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the difference between 编织 and 纺织 (fǎngzhī). 纺织 is a more industrial and technical term referring to the entire textile process, including spinning (纺 fǎng) and weaving (织 zhī). If you are talking about the 'textile industry,' you must use 纺织业. If you are talking about a factory that produces cloth, it is a 纺织厂. 编织 is more focused on the manual, artisanal, or specific act of interlacing. You wouldn't call a grandmother's knitting 纺织; that sounds too industrial. Conversely, you wouldn't call a massive cotton mill a 编织厂; it is a 纺织厂.

Finally, be careful with the word 编造 (biānzào). While 编织 谎言 (weaving a lie) is a common and poetic expression, 编造 谎言 (fabricating a lie) is more direct and often carries a more negative, accusatory tone. 编织 suggests a complex, perhaps even 'artful' lie, whereas 编造 simply means to make something up or fake it. If you are in a formal legal setting, 编造 is the more appropriate term for 'fabricating evidence,' whereas in a novel, 编织 might be used to describe a character's intricate web of deceit.

编织 vs. 编造
编织: Poetic, complex, can be neutral or negative. 编造: Direct, usually negative, means 'to fabricate' or 'to fake.'

不要试图编造借口，请告诉我们真相。(Don't try to fabricate excuses; please tell us the truth.)

Understanding the synonyms and related terms for 编织 can significantly enrich your Chinese vocabulary. While 编织 is a general term, several other words offer more specific meanings depending on the material or the technique being used. For example, if you are specifically talking about knitting with wool and needles, **针织 (zhēnzhī)** is the technical term often found on clothing labels (e.g., 针织衫 zhēnzhīshān - knitwear). While you can use 编织 to describe the act, 针织 is the standard noun/adjective for the category of clothing.

针织 (zhēnzhī)
Specifically refers to knitting (needle-work). Often used in the fashion industry to describe knitted fabrics.

Another close relative is **编排 (biānpái)**. While 编织 is about interlacing physical or metaphorical threads, 编排 is about 'arranging' or 'choreographing' elements in a sequence. You 编排 a dance (编排舞蹈) or 编排 the layout of a newspaper. The commonality is the character 编 (to arrange), but 编排 focuses on the order and structure of a performance or a document, rather than the 'weaving' of a fabric or a dream.

导演正在为新剧编排精彩的武打动作。(The director is choreographing exciting martial arts moves for the new drama.)

For metaphorical 'weaving,' you might consider **交织 (jiāozhī)**. This word literally means 'to interweave' or 'to mingle.' It is often used to describe feelings, sounds, or lights that are mixed together. For example, 'joy and sorrow are interwoven' is 喜悦与悲伤交织在一起 (xǐyuè yǔ bēishāng jiāozhī zài yīqǐ). While 编织 emphasizes the *active process* of creating something complex, 交织 emphasizes the *state* of being mixed or blended together. If you are describing a scene where multiple elements coexist and overlap, 交织 is often the better choice.

交织 (jiāozhī)
To interweave or mingle. Used for abstract concepts like emotions, light, sound, or history. Focuses on the blending of elements.

If the context is about 'braiding' or 'plaiting' hair or rope, the word **编 (biān)** or **打 (dǎ)** is often used. To 'braid hair' is 编辫子 (biān biànzi). To 'tie a knot' (often involving weaving patterns) is 打结 (dǎjié) or 编中国结 (biān Zhōngguójié - weaving a Chinese knot). While 编织 can be used for Chinese knots, the single character 编 is more common in daily speech for these specific tasks. 编织 feels slightly more formal and encompassing.

这首交响乐将古典与现代元素完美地交织在了一起。(This symphony perfectly interweaves classical and modern elements.)

Summary Table
- 编织: Knitting/weaving (general/metaphorical)
- 针织: Knitting (technical/textile)
- 纺织: Industrial textile manufacturing
- 交织: Interweaving/blending (emotions/sounds)
- 编写: Writing/compiling (text/code)
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Examples by Level

1

奶奶在编织毛衣。

Grandma is knitting a sweater.

Subject + 正在 (implied) + 编织 + Object.

2

我会编织小篮子。

I can weave small baskets.

会 (can) indicates a learned skill.

3

她喜欢编织。

She likes weaving/knitting.

Simple Subject + Verb structure.

4

这是一个编织的包。

This is a woven bag.

编织 + 的 + Noun acts as an adjective.

5

妈妈给我编织围巾。

Mom is knitting a scarf for me.

给 (for) + Person + 编织 + Object.

6

他在编织草帽。

He is weaving a straw hat.

Standard present continuous action.

7

编织很有趣。

Weaving is very interesting.

Verb phrase acting as the subject.

8

请教我编织。

Please teach me how to weave/knit.

教 (teach) + Person + Action.

1

她把彩色的线编织在一起。

She wove the colorful threads together.

把 (ba) construction + Resultative (在一起).

2

这些篮子是用竹子编织的。

These baskets are woven from bamboo.

是...的 construction indicating material and method.

3

奶奶编织了一件暖和的毛衣。

Grandma wove/knitted a warm sweater.

Verb + 了 (completed action) + Quantifier + Adjective + Noun.

4

我正在学习编织手链。

I am learning to weave bracelets.

正在 (in the process of) + 学习 (learning) + Action.

5

这种编织方法很简单。

This weaving method is very simple.

Noun phrase (编织方法) as subject.

6

他亲手编织了一个花环。

He wove a flower wreath with his own hands.

亲手 (with own hands) adds personal emphasis.

7

我们要编织一个大网。

We need to weave a big net.

要 (need/want) + Action.

8

她用剩下的毛线编织了一双袜子。

She wove a pair of socks with the leftover wool.

用 (use) + Material + Action.

1

每个孩子都在编织自己的梦想。

Every child is weaving their own dreams.

Metaphorical use of 编织 with 梦想.

2

蜘蛛在树枝间编织蛛网。

The spider is weaving a web between the branches.

Natural world context.

3

作者巧妙地编织了故事的情节。

The author ingeniously wove the plot of the story.

巧妙地 (ingeniously) modifies the verb.

4

她把家乡的故事编织进歌声里。

She wove the stories of her hometown into her songs.

编织 + 进 (into) + Location/Medium.

5

这些传统手工艺品是手工编织的。

These traditional crafts are hand-woven.

手工 (by hand) as a modifier.

6

他在脑海中编织着未来的蓝图。

He is weaving a blueprint of the future in his mind.

在脑海中 (in the mind) + 编织着 (continuous state).

7

志愿者们编织了一张严密的安全网。

The volunteers wove a tight safety net.

Metaphorical 'safety net' (安全网).

8

这种布料是用特殊的纤维编织而成的。

This fabric is woven from special fibers.

编织 + 而成 (formed by).

1

他精心编织了一个谎言来隐瞒真相。

He elaborately wove a lie to hide the truth.

精心 (elaborately) + 编织 + 谎言 (lie).

2

这部电影编织了一个跨越时空的爱情故事。

This movie wove a love story that spans time and space.

Describes the structure of a narrative.

3

他利用职务之便编织了一张庞大的利益网。

He used his position to weave a massive web of interests.

利益网 (web of interests) is a common B2/C1 collocation.

4

我们要为孩子们编织一个美好的童年。

We want to weave a beautiful childhood for our children.

Abstract concept of 'creating' an experience.

5

晚霞在天边编织出一幅美丽的画卷。

The sunset wove a beautiful picture on the horizon.

Personification of nature.

6

这个项目将不同国家的资源编织在一起。

This project weaves together resources from different countries.

Focuses on integration and cooperation.

7

她试图编织出一种全新的生活方式。

She is trying to weave a completely new way of life.

编织出 (to weave out/create) + 生活方式.

8

历史是由无数平凡人的生活编织而成的。

History is woven from the lives of countless ordinary people.

Philosophical observation using passive structure.

1

这位作家擅长将虚幻与现实交织、编织在一起。

This writer is skilled at interweaving and weaving fantasy and reality together.

Uses both 交织 and 编织 for emphasis.

2

政府正致力于编织一个覆盖全社会的医疗保障体系。

The government is dedicated to weaving a healthcare system that covers the entire society.

Formal administrative/political context.

3

他的诗歌编织了对故乡深沉的思念。

His poetry wove a deep longing for his hometown.

High-level literary description.

4

这起阴谋是经过数年时间精心编织而成的。

This conspiracy was elaborately woven over several years.

Emphasizes the long-term, deliberate nature of the action.

5

文化交流在两国人民之间编织了友谊的纽带。

Cultural exchange wove a bond of friendship between the people of the two countries.

纽带 (bond/link) is a frequent object of 编织.

6

他在孤独中编织着自己的精神世界。

In his solitude, he was weaving his own spiritual world.

Psychological/philosophical depth.

7

科技的发展正在重新编织人类的社交网络。

The development of technology is re-weaving human social networks.

Describes fundamental societal change.

8

音乐家将各种民族乐器编织进这首现代交响乐中。

The musician wove various ethnic instruments into this modern symphony.

Artistic synthesis and integration.

1

这部宏大的文学巨著编织了一幅极其复杂的社会众生相。

This grand literary masterpiece wove an extremely complex portrait of all walks of social life.

众生相 (portrait of all living beings) indicates high complexity.

2

外交家们正努力编织一张能够维护地区稳定的安全协作网。

Diplomats are working hard to weave a security cooperation network capable of maintaining regional stability.

Sophisticated geopolitical terminology.

3

这种思想编织了理性与感性的完美平衡。

This thought wove a perfect balance between rationality and sensibility.

Abstract philosophical synthesis.

4

他用一生的时间去编织那个几乎不可能实现的理想。

He spent his entire life weaving that almost impossible ideal.

Emphasizes lifelong dedication and construction.

5

在资本的推动下，一张隐形的全球供应链网正被快速编织。

Driven by capital, an invisible global supply chain network is being rapidly woven.

Passive voice in a complex economic context.

6

这些古老的神话编织了民族身份认同的基石。

These ancient myths wove the cornerstone of national identity.

Sociological and historical analysis.

7

意识流小说往往通过编织琐碎的记忆来展现人物内心。

Stream-of-consciousness novels often reveal a character's inner self by weaving together trivial memories.

Literary theory and technique.

8

宇宙的奥秘仿佛是一张由时间和空间编织而成的巨网。

The mysteries of the universe seem like a giant web woven of time and space.

Cosmological metaphor.

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