译注 (yì zhù) — (noun) annotated translation; (verb) to translate and annotate

Definition

A specialized word for scholarly or literary work: a translation paired with explanatory notes (译 = translate; 注 = annotate). Used for translating classical texts, not everyday speech.

noun
annotated translation
verb
to translate and annotate

Examples

  • 《》译注。
    Zhè běn 《lún yǔ》 yì zhù chū bǎn yú shàng shì jì.
    This annotated translation of the Analects was published in the last century.
  • 译注。
    Tā huā le hěn duō nián yì zhù zhè bù gǔ diǎn wén xiàn.
    He spent many years translating and annotating this classical text.
  • 译注。
    Wǒ men xū yào zhǎo yí wèi yǒu jīng yàn de yì zhù zhuān jiā.
    We need to find an experienced specialist in annotated translations.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

译yìtranslate
注zhùannotate

译 gives translation and 注 gives notes, so the result denotes an annotated translation or translating and annotating.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 譯; 译 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
睪
睪yì譯yì
Same sound today

The traditional form 譯 uses 言 (say) with 睪 for its sound; the simplified 译 is a later shorthand.

Open 译 →

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
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
主
主zhǔ注zhù
Same sound today

注 combines 水, meaning water, with 主, which gives the sound.

Open 注 →
Appears in
LanguageReading & Writing

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