Definition
文 (wén) means 'writing, script, literature, or culture' — it is a core root morpheme found in many Chinese words related to language and culture. Unlike the standalone words 语言 (language), 文字 (script), 文学 (literature), and 文章 (article), 文 is rarely used alone in modern Mandarin; it primarily appears as a component in these compounds.
noun
written languagewritingscriptcultureliterary traditionliteratureliterary works
Easily confused
- 交jiāolook-aliketo hand in, to deliver, to deliver
- 问wènsound-aliketo ask
- 这zhèlook-alikethis; these
- 吻wěnsound-alike(verb) to kiss
- 更gènglook-alikemore, even more (degree adverb used in comparisons)
- 闻wénsound-aliketo smell
- 稳wěnsound-alike(adjective) steady, stable, firm
Examples
- 。Tā duì Zhōngguó wénhuà hěn gǎn xìngqù.He is very interested in Chinese culture.
- 。Zhè piān wénzhāng xiě de hěn yǒu shēndù.This article is written with great depth.
- 。Tā xǐhuan yánjiū gǔdiǎn wénxué.He likes to study classical literature.
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