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此言 (cǐ yán) — (formal) these words, this statement

Definition

此言 (cǐ yán) is a formal/literary pronoun meaning 'these words' or 'this statement' — used in writing, speeches, or commentary, not in everyday conversation.

pronoun
(formal) these wordsthis statement

Examples

  • 此言，。
    cǐ yán Yì chū, quán chǎng huá rán.
    As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room was in an uproar.
  • 此言，。
    cǐ yán Chà yǐ, shì shí bìng fēi rú cǐ.
    This statement is mistaken; the facts are not like this.
  • 此言，。
    Gǔ rén yǒu cǐ yán, zhí dé shēn sī.
    The ancients had such a saying; it deserves deep thought.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

此cǐthis
言yánwords

此 points to the statement and 言 names words, together meaning this statement.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

Open 此 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →
Appears in
Communication & Speech

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