axe and chisel; artificial embellishment in writing
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
axe and chisel (carpentry or masonry tools)
Refers to the basic cutting tools used in woodworking or stone carving.
Gōng工
jiàng匠
de的
xiāng箱
zi子
lǐ里
fàng放
zhe着
fǔ斧
záo凿
děng等
gōng工
jù具
。
The craftsman's box contains tools such as axes and chisels.
Tā他
yòng用
fǔ斧
záo凿
zài在
shí石
tou头
shàng上
diāo雕
kè刻
chū出
jīng精
měi美
de的
tú图
àn案
。
He used an axe and chisel to carve exquisite patterns into the stone.
verb
to carve or chisel; (figurative) to polish literary works excessively, making them seem artificial and unnatural
literaryMost commonly used in literary criticism to describe writing that shows obvious signs of over-polishing or forced craftsmanship. Often appears in phrases like 斧凿痕 (traces of chiseling) or 不见斧凿 (showing no sign of artificial carving).
Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhāng章
fǔ斧
záo凿
hén痕
jì迹
tài太
zhòng重
，
dú读
qǐ起
lái来
bù不
gòu够
liú流
chàng畅
。
This article shows too much trace of artificial embellishment and does not read smoothly.
Tā他
de的
shī诗
jù句
suī虽
gōng工
zhěng整
，
què却
tòu透
zhe着
yī一
gǔ股
fǔ斧
záo凿
zhī之
qì气
。
Although his verses are well-crafted, they reveal an air of contrived artificiality.
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Hǎo好
de的
sǎn散
wén文
yīng应
gāi该
hún浑
rán然
tiān天
chéng成
，
bù不
jiàn见
fǔ斧
záo凿
。
Good prose should appear completely natural, showing no signs of artificial carving.