weigh every word; choose phrases with care
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to weigh every word and polish every sentence; to speak or write with extreme care and precision
formalUsed to describe a meticulous, careful attitude toward speaking or writing. Often carries a positive connotation of thoroughness, though can occasionally imply excessive caution.
Tā他
xiě写
lùn论
wén文
shí时
zǒng总
shì是
zì字
zhēn斟
jù句
zhuó酌
，
lì力
qiú求
biǎo表
dá达
zhǔn准
què确
。
He always weighs every word when writing his thesis, striving for precise expression.
Zhè这
fèn份
hé合
tóng同
guān关
xì系
dào到
gōng公
sī司
lì利
yì益
，
bì必
xū须
zì字
zhēn斟
jù句
zhuó酌
de地
shěn审
chá查
。
This contract concerns the company's interests and must be examined with meticulous care.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Lǎo老
rén人
shuō说
huà话
zì字
zhēn斟
jù句
zhuó酌
，
měi每
yī一
gè个
cí词
dōu都
jīng经
guò过
shēn深
sī思
shú熟
lǜ虑
。
The old man spoke with great deliberation, every word carefully considered.
Yōu优
xiù秀
de的
fān翻
yì译
xū需
yào要
zì字
zhēn斟
jù句
zhuó酌
，
cái才
néng能
chuán传
dá达
yuán原
wén文
de的
yùn韵
wèi味
。
Excellent translation requires polishing every phrase to convey the flavor of the original text.