colon; punctuation mark introducing explanation
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
colon (:); punctuation mark used to introduce an explanation, list, quotation, or elaboration
Placed after introductory phrases or clauses to indicate that what follows explains, lists, or elaborates on the preceding statement. In formal writing, it is used before explanations, direct speech, or enumerated items.
Lǎo老
shī师
xuān宣
bù布
le了
yī一
gè个
hǎo好
xiāo消
xi息
：
míng明
tiān天
fàng放
jià假
。
The teacher announced good news: tomorrow is a holiday.
Qǐng请
zhù注
yì意
yǐ以
xià下
sān三
diǎn点
：
dì第
yī一
，
bǎo保
chí持
ān安
jìng静
；
dì第
èr二
，
bù不
yào要
xī吸
yān烟
；
dì第
sān三
，
guān关
bì闭
shǒu手
jī机
。
Please note the following three points: first, keep quiet; second, no smoking; third, turn off your phones.
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Tā他
shuō说
：
“
Wǒ我
yǒu有
yí一
gè个
xiǎng想
fǎ法
：
wǒ我
men们
yì一
qǐ起
qù去
lǚ旅
xíng行
ba吧
。
”
He said, "I have an idea: let's go travel together."