字
zi6
In Cantonese, the English word 'word' is expressed as 字 (zi6).
字 refers to a single character used as a unit of language. When you are referring to a specific word within a sentence, it is common to use the classifier 個 (go3) before it, resulting in 個字 (this word).
Meaning: unit of language (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 字 refers to a single character, the term 詞 is used to refer to a multi-character word or a lexical unit.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zi6
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, a scholar was often given a 字, known as a 'courtesy name', which was used by peers and superiors instead of their given name.
- Some 字 are viewed as visually auspicious or taboo, meaning certain characters are strictly avoided on funeral banners or wedding invitations to prevent bad luck.
- The term 詞 (ci4) refers to a multi-character word, but it also serves as the specific term for a genre of classical poetry and song lyrics.
Examples in context
- 我唔識呢個字。I don't understand this word.This sentence is useful for saying you do not understand a specific 字.Tatoeba #402965 by nickyeow, translation #57974 by CK
- 我唔識讀呢個字。I don't know how to pronounce this word.This sentence is useful for saying you do not know how to pronounce a specific 字.Tatoeba #7988328 by nickyeow, translation #6659763 by CK
- 呢個字形容得好啱。That word describes it perfectly.This sentence is useful for saying that a specific 字 describes something perfectly.Tatoeba #422973 by nickyeow, translation #48184 by CK
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yating are studying a book together.
- 志強 Chi Keung雅婷，呢個字係咩意思？Jaa ting, ni go zi hai me ji si?Yating, what does this word mean?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我唔係好肯定，等我查下。ngo m hai hou kok ding, dang ngo caa ha.I'm not very sure, let me check.
- 志強 Chi Keung呢個字好似好難寫喎。ni go zi hou ci hou naan se wo.This word seems very difficult to write.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting係呀，筆劃真係好複雜。hai aa, bat waat zan hai hou fuk zaat.Yes, the strokes are really complex.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
