字
zi6
In Cantonese, the English phrase "words" is translated as 字 (zi6).
The term 字 refers to the individual written characters or symbols used in a writing system. To express the action of writing characters or words, you use the verb phrase 寫字.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to refer specifically to new words or vocabulary that a person is currently learning, you use the term 生字.
How do you pronounce it?
zi6
Did you know?
- The term 生字 literally translates to 'raw characters'. It describes new vocabulary as being 'uncooked' or 'unfamiliar' until the learner has mastered them.
- The written character 字 can also refer to a person's 'style name' or 'courtesy name' in historical contexts.
- Many 字 are categorized as 'pictographs', meaning the original shape of the character was a literal drawing of the object it represents. For example, the ancient form of the character for 'mountain' looked like three peaks.
Examples in context
- 睇書可以學識好多生字。Many words are acquired through reading.This sentence shows how reading can help a person acquire many 字.Tatoeba #410654 by nickyeow, translation #280635 by shekitten
- 佢哋識唔識讀呢幾隻字呀？Are they able to read these words?This sentence is used to ask if someone can read certain 字.Tatoeba #2226272 by nickyeow, translation #305631 by CM
- 將呢啲生字寫落你本簿度吖。Write these words in your notebook.This sentence instructs someone to write down certain 字 in a notebook.Tatoeba #418551 by nickyeow, translation #55221 by CK
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a bookstore, a woman shows a man a complicated character.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting呢個字好難寫呀。ni1 go3 zi6 hou2 naan4 se2 aa3.This word is very hard to write.
- 志強 Chi Keung真係喎，筆劃好多。zan1 hai6 wo3, bat1 waat6 hou2 do1.It really is, there are many strokes.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting志強，你識唔識寫？zi3 koeng4, nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 se2?Chik Keung, do you know how to write it?
- 志強 Chi Keung我唔係好識寫呢個字。ngo5 m4 hai6 hou2 sik1 se2 nei1 go3 zi6.I don't know how to write this word very well.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
