chisel marks; artificial writing style
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
marks left by axe and chisel; figuratively: traces of forced or artificial craftsmanship in writing
literaryOriginally refers to visible tool marks on wood or stone; commonly used as a literary criticism term to describe writing that appears labored, unnatural, or overly polished. Conveys a negative judgment.
Zhè这
jiàn件
mù木
diāo雕
de的
fǔ斧
záo凿
hén痕
qīng清
xī晰
kě可
jiàn见
，
fǎn反
ér而
xiǎn显
de得
zhì质
pǔ朴
zì自
rán然
。
The chisel marks on this wood carving are clearly visible, yet they give it a simple, natural quality.
Tā他
de的
shī诗
wén文
pō颇
yǒu有
fǔ斧
záo凿
hén痕
，
bù不
gòu够
liú流
chàng畅
zì自
rán然
。
His poetry shows too many signs of forced craftsmanship and lacks fluid naturalness.
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Hǎo好
wén文
zhāng章
yīng应
gāi该
hún浑
rán然
tiān天
chéng成
，
bù不
lòu露
fǔ斧
záo凿
hén痕
。
Good writing should appear naturally formed, revealing no trace of the chisel.