Chinese–EnglishWith examples

字眼

zì yǎn · zi yan

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 7–9

Meaning

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  1. wording
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In a conversation

0:17 cartoon

The harsh word

  1. Dengdeng

    这条(zhètiáo)消息(xiāoxi)的(de)字眼(zìyǎn)太(tài)硬(yìng)了(le)，朋友(péngyou)会(huì)不(bù)高兴(gāoxìng)。

    The wording of this message is too harsh. My friend will be unhappy.

  2. Liangliang

    哪个(nǎge)字眼(zìyǎn)太(tài)硬(yìng)？

    Which word is too harsh?

  3. Dengdeng

    “必须(bìxū)”这个(zhège)字眼(zìyǎn)，听(tīng)起来(qǐlai)像(xiàng)命令(mìnglìng)。

    The word “must”. It sounds like an order.

  4. Liangliang

    那(nà)换(huàn)个(gè)字眼(zìyǎn)，写(xiě)“请(qǐng)”吧(ba)。

    Then change the word. Write “please”.

  5. Dengdeng

    好(hǎo)，这个(zhège)字眼(zìyǎn)客气(kèqi)多(duō)了(le)。

    OK. This word is much more polite.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

他(tā)说(shuō)话(huà)时(shí)总(zǒng)爱(ài)用(yòng)一(yì)些(xiē)夸(kuā)张(zhāng)的(de)字(zì)眼(yǎn)。

He always likes to use exaggerated wording when he speaks.

02

这(zhè)篇(piān)文(wén)章(zhāng)的(de)字(zì)眼(yǎn)太(tài)生(shēng)僻(pì)，读(dú)者(zhě)很(hěn)难(nán)理(lǐ)解(jiě)。

The wording in this article is too obscure, making it hard for readers to understand.

Sources & licenses

How to write

Stroke order & practice

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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