few words; brief remark
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
a few words; a brief remark
literaryPrimarily used in formal, literary, or classical contexts. Often appears in set phrases such as 片言只字 (just a few words) or 片言可决 (can be settled with a few words).
Cǐ此
shì事
piàn片
yán言
kě可
jué决
，
wú无
xū需
duō多
yán言
。
This matter can be decided with a few words; there is no need to say more.
Suī虽
zhǐ只
piàn片
yán言
，
què却
dào道
chū出
le了
shì事
qing情
de的
běn本
zhì质
。
Though only a few words, they revealed the essence of the matter.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
zài在
xìn信
zhōng中
piàn片
yán言
zhǐ只
zì字
dōu都
wèi未
tí提
jí及
cǐ此
shì事
。
He did not mention this matter with even a single word in his letter.
Lín临
bié别
shí时
，
ēn恩
shī师
piàn片
yán言
xiāng相
zèng赠
，
lìng令
wǒ我
zhōng终
shēng生
nán难
wàng忘
。
At parting, my respected teacher gave me a few words of advice, which I will never forget for the rest of my life.