字眼 (zì yǎn) — a specific word or phrase (especially when disc… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

字眼 (zìyǎn) refers to the specific words or phrases chosen, often when discussing whether the wording is appropriate. 说法 is broader ('way of saying' or 'version of events'); 言辞 is more literary and emphasizes the speech itself.

noun

a specific word or phrase (especially when discussing choice of wording)wording (refers to the particular words used)

Examples

字眼。
Tā zài wén zhāng lǐ xuǎn de zì yǎn hěn jiǎng jiu.
The wording he chose in the article is very tasteful.
字眼，。
Nà zhǒng zì yǎn tài cū sú le, zuì hǎo bú yào yòng.
That kind of wording is too vulgar; better not use it.
字眼。
Xiě bào gào shí yào zhù yì nǎ xiē zì yǎn bù néng suí biàn yòng.
When writing a report, you need to pay attention to which words you can't use casually.

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.

The “字” (word) is seen through an “眼” (eye), pointing to the particular wording used.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

宀子字

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

子

子zǐ字zì

Same sound today

字 pairs 宀 (roof) with 子 (child); 子 gives the sound, while 宀 relates to the meaning.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

目艮眼

Meaning part形符xíngfú

目目mùeye

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn眼yǎn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

眼 combines 目, which is an eye, with 艮, which gives the character's sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Language

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