引经据典 (yǐn jīng jù diǎn) — to quote authoritative sources (in speech or wr… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal written/spoken idiom meaning to cite classical texts and authoritative sources to back up an argument. It carries a positive, scholarly tone — stronger and more literary than plain 引用.

phrase

to quote authoritative sources (in speech or writing)to cite chapter and verse

Examples

引经据典，。
Jiào shòu zài jiǎng zuò zhōng yǐn jīng jù diǎn, lùn zhèng shí fēn yǒu lì.
The professor cited authoritative sources in the lecture, making his argument very compelling.
引经据典，。
Zhè piān wén zhāng yǐn jīng jù diǎn, yǐn yòng le hěn duō gǔ dài diǎn jí.
This article quotes from the classics, referencing many ancient texts.
引经据典，。
Tā shuō huà zǒng shì yǐn jīng jù diǎn, ràng rén bù dé bú xìn fú.
He always cites chapter and verse when he speaks, making people unable to help being convinced.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

引经cite classics

引yǐncite经jīngclassics

动宾Verb + object

据典rely on canons

据jùrely on典diǎncanons

动宾Verb + object

引经 and 据典 both mean citing classical texts, together describing quoting authoritative sources.

Characters in this word

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

弓弓gōngbow
丿丿piěindicatory stroke

引 is made from 弓, a bow, and 丿, a short slant stroke added at the place where the string is pulled, marking the action of drawing or pulling.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

糹巠經

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糹Written in full as糸mìsilk; thread

Sound part声符shēngfú

巠

巠jīng經jīng

Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú

手手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

居

居jū据jù

Same sound today

据 uses 手 (hand) as one part and 居 to give the sound.

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

冊冊cèbooks
丌丌qítable

典 puts 冊 (books) on a 丌 (table), showing official books resting on a table.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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