Explanation at your level:
A 字典 is a book. You use it to find the meaning of words. If you see a new Chinese character, you look in the 字典 to see what it means. It is very helpful for your homework!
When you are learning Chinese, you will often need a 字典. It lists characters and tells you how to say them. Many students use a digital 字典 on their phones now because it is very fast and easy to carry everywhere.
A 字典 is an essential tool for intermediate learners. It doesn't just give you the definition; it shows you the correct stroke order and common compound words. You should practice '查字典' regularly to improve your reading speed and accuracy when encountering new characters.
At this level, you might move beyond a simple 字典 to more specialized ones, like those focusing on classical Chinese or specific technical terminology. Understanding the nuances of how characters are indexed in a 字典—such as by radical or Pinyin—is a sign of advanced proficiency.
The 字典 is more than a book; it is a historical record of linguistic evolution. Scholars often consult various editions of a 字典 to understand how the meaning of a single character has shifted over centuries. It serves as the primary authority for settling debates about correct usage and etymology in formal writing.
Mastery of the 字典 involves understanding the philosophical and cultural weight behind character selection. When you reach this level, you aren't just looking up definitions; you are analyzing the lexicographical choices made by compilers. You appreciate the 字典 as a cultural artifact that preserves the integrity of the Chinese language across generations, bridging the gap between ancient scripts and contemporary usage.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- It is a character reference book.
- It is essential for Chinese learners.
- Use '本' as the measure word.
- Distinguish from '词典'.
Think of a 字典 as your ultimate language sidekick! It is a reference tool that holds the secrets to every character in the Chinese language. Whether you are stuck on a stroke order or just curious about a definition, this is the book you turn to.
In modern times, we often use digital versions, but the concept remains the same: it is a structured guide that organizes characters by their radicals or stroke counts. It is essential for anyone starting their journey into Chinese literacy.
The history of the 字典 is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese scholarship. The term itself combines '字' (character) and '典' (standard or classic). One of the most famous early examples is the Shuowen Jiezi from the Han Dynasty, which was the first to categorize characters by radicals.
Over centuries, these books evolved from elite scholarly texts into accessible tools for the public. The Kangxi Dictionary, published in the 18th century, set the gold standard for how we organize characters even today. It is fascinating to see how a tool designed for emperors became a staple in every student's backpack.
You will use the word 字典 whenever you are talking about looking up a word or buying a study tool. It is a very common noun in academic and daily life settings. You might say '查字典' (chá zìdiǎn), which means 'to look up a word in the dictionary'.
It is important to distinguish it from '词典' (cídiǎn), which is for words/phrases. While '字典' is for characters, '词典' is for multi-character words. Using them correctly shows you have a great grasp of the language's structure!
While '字典' itself is a tool, it appears in many phrases about learning.
- 查字典: To look up a word.
- 翻字典: To flip through a dictionary.
- 字典里没有...: 'There is no such thing as [word] in my dictionary' (used to show determination).
- 活字典: A 'living dictionary'—someone who knows everything.
- 查阅字典: A more formal way to say 'consult the dictionary'.
In Chinese, 字典 is a standard noun. It doesn't have plural forms like English nouns; the context tells you if you are talking about one or many. The pronunciation is 'zì' (fourth tone) and 'diǎn' (third tone).
It is often used with measure words like '一本' (yī běn) when referring to a physical book. When you are studying, remember that the stress is usually balanced, but the 'diǎn' carries a slightly longer, dipping tone that is crucial for natural-sounding speech.
Fun Fact
The first dictionary was for characters, not words.
Pronunciation Guide
English equivalent sound
English equivalent sound
Common Errors
- Tone of zì
- Tone of diǎn
- Ending n sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Medium
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Measure Words
一本字典
Verb-Object
查字典
Location
在字典里
Examples by Level
我有一本字典。
I have a dictionary.
Measure word '本'
字典很有用。
The dictionary is very useful.
Adjective usage
请看字典。
Please look at the dictionary.
Imperative
这是字典吗？
Is this a dictionary?
Question particle
我在查字典。
I am looking up the dictionary.
Present continuous
字典在桌子上。
The dictionary is on the table.
Location
给我那本字典。
Give me that dictionary.
Command
字典很重。
The dictionary is heavy.
Adjective
查字典很难吗？
我需要买一本新的字典。
字典里有很多字。
这个字在字典里吗？
不要忘记带字典。
我的字典是蓝色的。
老师让我查字典。
字典帮助我学习。
我习惯用电子字典。
查字典是学习的好习惯。
这本字典很全面。
你可以在字典里找到答案。
字典里有详细的解释。
这本字典出版了很多年。
我总是随身携带字典。
字典是学习者的好朋友。
这本字典收录了许多生僻字。
作为一名翻译，字典是必备工具。
通过查字典，我理解了词源。
这本字典的编纂非常严谨。
他在字典里找不到这个词。
字典不仅是工具，也是文献。
我们应该定期更新我们的字典。
这本字典涵盖了各种方言。
这部字典是研究古代汉语的权威。
字典的编纂体现了深厚的学术功底。
他把字典翻烂了，可见学习之勤。
这本字典对字形的解释非常透彻。
字典中的注音非常标准。
在字典中检索信息需要技巧。
这部字典具有极高的收藏价值。
字典是语言规范化的基石。
这部字典不仅是工具书，更是文化遗产。
考据学研究离不开这部字典。
字典中对词义演变的追溯令人惊叹。
这本字典反映了当时的语言风貌。
字典的修订工作耗时数十年。
他将字典视为自己的精神导师。
字典的注释体现了编者的博学。
这部字典是语言学研究的瑰宝。
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"活字典"
A walking dictionary
他是我们班的活字典。
casual"字典里没有失败"
Failure is not in my dictionary
对他来说，字典里没有失败。
inspirational"查字典"
To consult a dictionary
遇到不懂的就查字典。
neutral"翻烂字典"
To use a dictionary until it falls apart
他翻烂了字典才学会。
descriptive"字典式记忆"
Dictionary-like memory
他有字典式记忆。
descriptive"字典权威"
Authority of the dictionary
这是字典权威。
formalEasily Confused
Both are books
Characters vs Words
字典 for 汉字, 词典 for 词语
Old term
Literary vs Modern
Use 字典 in daily life
Both are reference
Manual vs Dictionary
手册 for instructions
Broad category
General vs Specific
字典 is a type of 参考书
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 查 + 字典
我查字典。
Subject + 有 + 一本 + 字典
他有一本字典。
字典 + 在 + Location
字典在桌子上。
Subject + 用 + 字典 + 学习
我用字典学习。
Subject + 翻 + 字典
他翻字典找字。
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Verwandt
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
字典 is for characters; 词典 is for words.
Chinese nouns need measure words.
字典 is a reference tool, not a textbook.
Tone errors change meaning.
Many are digital now.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place the dictionary on your desk in your mind.
Daily Habit
Look up one word every day.
Respect
Treat books with care.
Measure Word
Always use 本.
Tone Practice
Focus on the 4th and 3rd tone.
Avoid Confusion
Don't mix up with 词典.
History
Dictionaries are ancient.
Consistency
Keep it near your study space.
Digital
Use apps for speed.
Legacy
Value the Kangxi dictionary.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Zì (Character) + Diǎn (Standard) = Character Standard Book
Visual Association
A thick book filled with small characters
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look up 5 words today.
Wortherkunft
Chinese
Original meaning: Standard of characters
Kultureller Kontext
None
Dictionaries are seen as essential desk tools.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- 带字典
- 查字典
- 字典借我
Library
- 找字典
- 字典区
- 安静查字典
Home
- 放在书架
- 每天看
- 学习工具
Bookstore
- 买字典
- 看字典
- 字典种类
Conversation Starters
"你用字典吗？"
"你的字典是什么颜色的？"
"查字典难吗？"
"你喜欢电子字典还是纸质字典？"
"你觉得字典重要吗？"
Journal Prompts
写一写你第一次用字典的感觉。
为什么我们需要字典？
如果你是一本字典，你会做什么？
描述你最喜欢的字典。
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 Fragen字典 is for characters, 词典 is for words.
No, that would be a dictionary for English words.
Yes, many apps exist.
By radical or stroke count.
Traditional ones are, digital ones are not.
Yes, if you study Chinese.
A person who knows everything.
Usually affordable.
Teste dich selbst
我有一本___。
Dictionary is the book for words.
字典是用来做什么的？
Used for looking up characters.
字典和词典是一样的。
One is for characters, one for words.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching verbs to nouns.
Subject-Verb-Object structure.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
A dictionary is the most important tool for any student of the Chinese language.
- It is a character reference book.
- It is essential for Chinese learners.
- Use '本' as the measure word.
- Distinguish from '词典'.
Memory Palace
Place the dictionary on your desk in your mind.
Daily Habit
Look up one word every day.
Respect
Treat books with care.
Measure Word
Always use 本.
Related Content
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr education Wörter
能力
B1The physical or mental power or skill needed to do something.
缺勤
B1The state of being absent from work or school when one is expected to be there.
摘要
B1A brief summary of the main points of an article, speech, or academic paper.
学术界
B1The community of students and scholars engaged in higher education and research. It refers to the world of universities and research institutes.
教学楼
A2academic building; teaching building
学年
A2academic year
学术
B1Relating to education and scholarship; or scholarly work.
积累
B1To gradually collect or increase something over a period of time. It refers to the process of gathering knowledge, experience, or wealth.
习得
B1The process of acquiring a skill or knowledge, often naturally or subconsciously. A key term in linguistics (language acquisition).
录取
B1To officially accept someone into a school, university, or job after a competitive application process.
