Understanding "字典" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 字典
• Pinyin: zì diǎn
• Literal Meaning: "Character record" or "character dictionary"
• Primary Meaning: A reference book containing Chinese characters, their meanings, pronunciations, and usage examples.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"字典" refers specifically to a dictionary for Chinese characters, distinguishing it from general dictionaries (词典 cí diǎn) that include words and phrases. It is commonly used in academic, educational, and everyday contexts when learners or native speakers need to look up the meaning, stroke order, or pronunciation of a character.

Character Breakdown

• 字 (zì): Means "character" or "written word."
• 典 (diǎn): Means "canon," "standard," or "reference work." Together, "字典" implies a authoritative reference for characters.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我需要一本字典来查这个字。
   Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yī běn zìdiǎn lái chá zhège zì.
   English: I need a dictionary to look up this character.

2. Chinese: 这本字典对学习汉语很有帮助。
   Pinyin: Zhè běn zìdiǎn duì xuéxí Hànyǔ hěn yǒu bāngzhù.
   English: This dictionary is very helpful for learning Chinese.

3. Chinese: 老师建议我们每天用字典学习五个新字。
   Pinyin: Lǎoshī jiànyì wǒmen měi tiān yòng zìdiǎn xuéxí wǔ gè xīn zì.
   English: The teacher suggested we learn five new characters every day using a dictionary.

Cultural Notes

In China, "字典" holds cultural significance as a foundational tool for literacy. The most famous example is the 《新华字典》(Xīnhuá Zìdiǎn), a staple in Chinese education since the 1950s. Many students receive their first "字典" in elementary school, symbolizing the start of their formal language journey.

Conclusion

"字典" (zì diǎn) is an essential resource for anyone learning Chinese, focusing specifically on characters. Remember: 字 = character, 典 = reference, making it the go-to book for mastering written Chinese. Keep one handy!