字
character; pronunciation; font; calligraphy; written pledge
Meanings
10 senses · 47 examplesnoun
written character; Chinese character
Refers to individual written Chinese characters, or writing systems
I am learning Chinese characters.
The meaning of this character is very simple.
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Commonly used characters are the foundation of Chinese language learning.
Please help me look up the pronunciation of this character.
First-grade students need to master at least 3000 commonly used Chinese characters.
noun
pronunciation of a character
Used in the fixed phrase 字正腔圆 to describe clear, standard speech
He speaks Mandarin with clear pronunciation.
This announcer speaks with clear, standard pronunciation and is very professional.
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Foreigners learning Chinese must first practice their pronunciation.
He speaks clearly, so people can understand him immediately.
This host has very standard pronunciation.
noun
font; style of writing
Refers to the style or design of written characters, such as calligraphic styles or printed fonts
This calligraphy uses the seal script font.
Liu-style calligraphy has a strong and powerful style.
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Songti font is commonly used in many documents nowadays.
This company designed decorative fonts for advertisements.
Cursive script is a style of writing for fast handwriting.
noun
calligraphy work; calligraphy and painting
literaryRefers to handwritten calligraphy pieces, often paired with paintings
He collects many famous calligraphy and painting works.
This calligraphy piece is a work by a Ming Dynasty calligrapher.
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He bought a calligraphy work at the auction house.
A famous calligraphy and painting piece hangs in the living room.
This elderly gentleman's calligraphy has sharp, vigorous brush strokes.
noun
word; term; phrase
Refers to specific words or phrases used in speech or writing
The teacher asked us to replace outdated words in the article.
He said yes, who dares to say a single word of opposition?
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This word has different meanings in different contexts.
He deliberately used exaggerated words to attract readers' attention.
There are several obscure words in this sentence.
noun
written receipt; pledge
Refers to written documents used as proof of a transaction or agreement
After receiving the money, please write him a written receipt.
We signed a written pledge to avoid disputes later.
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You must write a written receipt when lending money.
Without a written receipt, it is difficult to prove this transaction.
noun
courtesy name; alias
literaryTraditional Chinese custom of taking an alias based on the meaning of a person's given name
Yue Fei, with the courtesy name Pengju, was a famous anti-Jin hero of the Southern Song Dynasty.
Zeng Gong, courtesy name Zigu, was one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties.
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Ancient scholars usually had their own courtesy names.
Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, was known as Wolong.
Su Shi, courtesy name Zizhan, was also known as Dongpo Jushi.
noun
usage units of meters/kilowatt-hours
informalInformal spoken term for the measured units of utility meters
The electric meter recorded 50 units this month, and the electricity bill increased a lot.
The water meter recorded 20 units this month, 5 more than last month.
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The gas meter recorded 10 units this month.
The landlord said we used 10 extra units of electricity this month.
The property management came to check the water meter and said we used 30 units of water.
verb
to betroth; to promise in marriage
archaicArchaic and literary term for arranging a marriage engagement
The official's unmarried daughter has reached the age for betrothal.
Unmarried daughters of ancient wealthy families usually married after waiting for betrothal for many years.
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The unmarried daughter of this family is waiting for a suitable marriage engagement.
She waited for betrothal for many years and finally found a suitable husband.
noun
Chinese surname
A rare Chinese surname
My surname is Zi, it is a rare surname in the Hundred Family Surnames.
Mr. Zi is the Chinese teacher at our school.
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This teacher with the surname Zi gives very lively lectures.
People with the surname Zi are distributed in Shandong and surrounding areas.