instruct; point out; nitpick
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to instruct; to show; to point out
neutralGenerally positive or neutral, used for guiding, teaching, or providing directions.
Lǎo老
shī师
zài在
dì地
tú图
shàng上
zhǐ指
diǎn点
，
gào告
su诉
wǒ我
men们
chéng城
shì市
de的
wèi位
zhì置
。
The teacher pointed out the location of the city on the map for us.
Tā他
zhǐ指
diǎn点
wǒ我
wán完
chéng成
zhè这
ge个
fù复
zá杂
de的
shǒu手
xù续
。
He guided me through completing this complicated procedure.
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Nǐ你
néng能
zhǐ指
diǎn点
yī一
xià下
nǎ哪
tiáo条
lù路
qù去
huǒ火
chē车
zhàn站
zuì最
jìn近
ma吗
？
Could you point out which road to the train station is the shortest?
verb
to nitpick; to find fault; to criticize
informalOften implies petty, unconstructive criticism. The reduplicated form '指指点点' intensifies this negative connotation.
Tā他
zǒng总
xǐ喜
huān欢
duì对
bié别
rén人
de的
gōng工
zuò作
zhǐ指
zhǐ指
diǎn点
diǎn点
，
zì自
jǐ己
què却
bú不
zuò做
shì事
。
He always likes to nitpick others' work but doesn't do anything himself.
Bié别
zài在
bèi背
hòu后
zhǐ指
diǎn点
bié别
rén人
de的
sī私
shēng生
huó活
，
zhè这
bú不
lǐ礼
mào貌
。
Don't gossip and criticize others' private lives behind their backs; it's impolite.