The word '艰涩' describes language that is abstruse and lacks flow, making it difficult to digest.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes writing that is obscure, clunky, and hard to understand.
- Combines the meanings of difficulty and lack of smoothness.
- Commonly used in literary criticism and academic contexts.
Overview
- 1概括：‘艰涩’是一个典型的书面语形容词，由‘艰’（艰难）和‘涩’（不滑润、不流利）组成。它形象地描述了在阅读或理解某些文字时，如同舌头品尝到单宁过重的物质感到麻木、不顺滑一样的心理感受。2) 用法特点：该词既可以形容内容本身的深奥，也可以形容表达技巧的拙劣或过于刻意，导致读者无法顺畅地获取信息。它常修饰‘文字’、‘文体’、‘理论’、‘辞章’等。3) 常见语境：在文学批评中，用来指责作者堆砌词藻或逻辑混乱；在学术领域，用来形容某些高度抽象、未经转化的理论表述；在翻译评价中，常指译文过于僵硬，不符合目标语习惯。4) 同类词辨析：‘艰涩’与‘晦涩’经常连用（晦涩艰涩），但侧重点略有不同。‘晦涩’侧重于意义隐晦、不清晰，像隔着一层雾；而‘艰涩’更侧重于文字本身的生硬、不圆润，读起来‘卡壳’。‘生涩’则多指写作技巧不熟练或对语言掌握不够自然。总的来说，‘艰涩’带有一种‘难啃’的阻碍感，是阅读体验不佳的常用代名词。
Examples
这本书的文字太艰涩了，我读了三遍还是没明白。
everydayThe language of this book is too obscure; I've read it three times and still don't understand it.
法律条文往往辞义艰涩，普通人很难完全理解。
formalLegal provisions are often worded in an abstruse way, making them hard for ordinary people to fully comprehend.
别用那些艰涩的词儿，说点大家都能听懂的。
informalStop using those obscure words; say something everyone can understand.
康德的哲学体系宏大，但其语言表达确实存在艰涩之嫌。
academicKant's philosophical system is grand, but his linguistic expression is indeed suspected of being abstruse.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
辞义艰涩
abstruse meaning and wording
文体艰涩
obscure writing style
Often Confused With
Refers to physical or life hardships (e.g., a hard journey), whereas '艰涩' refers to linguistic difficulty.
Focuses on hidden or unclear meaning, while '艰涩' focuses on the lack of flow and roughness in writing.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Mainly used in formal writing or literary/academic criticism. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the writer has failed to communicate clearly or smoothly. It is rarely used to describe people, only their output (speech/writing).
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using it to describe a difficult situation or physical task. Another error is using it to describe a person's personality; it should only describe their words or style.
Tips
Use it for academic critiques
When reviewing a complex paper or a poorly translated book, '艰涩' is the perfect word to describe the struggle of reading it.
Avoid confusing with 'Jianxin'
Do not use '艰涩' to describe a hard life (艰辛); keep it strictly for linguistic or intellectual contexts.
The aesthetic of 'Tongshun'
In Chinese culture, '通顺' (smoothness) is a primary requirement for good writing; '艰涩' is considered a significant flaw.
Word Origin
Derived from '艰' (difficult/hard) and '涩' (rough/uneven). Historically used to describe the lack of smoothness in classical prose or calligraphy.
Cultural Context
In Chinese literary tradition, 'Yǎ' (elegance) is valued, but 'Tōng' (clarity/flow) is the foundation. '艰涩' is often seen as a failure to achieve 'Tōng', even if the work is intellectually profound.
Memory Tip
Think of '艰' as 'difficult' and '涩' as the 'astringent' taste of an unripe persimmon. Reading '艰涩' text feels like trying to swallow something rough and dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘艰涩’强调文辞生硬、读起来不顺口；‘晦涩’强调意思表达得不清楚、隐晦。两者常合称为‘晦涩艰涩’。
不可以。形容生活艰难通常用‘艰辛’或‘艰难’。‘艰涩’仅限于形容语言、文字或理论。
通常带有负面评价色彩，暗示表达不够通达。但在某些特定文学分析中，它也可能只是中性地描述一种深奥的风格。
常见的反义词有‘流畅’、‘通俗’、‘通顺’，表示文字易读且表达自然。
Test Yourself
由于翻译者对原著理解不够透彻，导致译文语言___，读者很难读下去。
‘艰涩’形容文辞不通畅、难懂，最符合语境。
选择正确的句子：
‘艰涩’只修饰语言、文字或理论。A应为‘艰险’，B应为‘艰辛’，D应为‘生涩’。
哲学 / 著作 / 极其 / 他的 / 艰涩 / 难懂
‘艰涩难懂’是常见的固定搭配，用来修饰‘哲学著作’。
Score: /3
Summary
The word '艰涩' describes language that is abstruse and lacks flow, making it difficult to digest.
- Describes writing that is obscure, clunky, and hard to understand.
- Combines the meanings of difficulty and lack of smoothness.
- Commonly used in literary criticism and academic contexts.
Use it for academic critiques
When reviewing a complex paper or a poorly translated book, '艰涩' is the perfect word to describe the struggle of reading it.
Avoid confusing with 'Jianxin'
Do not use '艰涩' to describe a hard life (艰辛); keep it strictly for linguistic or intellectual contexts.
The aesthetic of 'Tongshun'
In Chinese culture, '通顺' (smoothness) is a primary requirement for good writing; '艰涩' is considered a significant flaw.
Examples
4 of 4这本书的文字太艰涩了，我读了三遍还是没明白。
The language of this book is too obscure; I've read it three times and still don't understand it.
法律条文往往辞义艰涩，普通人很难完全理解。
Legal provisions are often worded in an abstruse way, making them hard for ordinary people to fully comprehend.
别用那些艰涩的词儿，说点大家都能听懂的。
Stop using those obscure words; say something everyone can understand.
康德的哲学体系宏大，但其语言表达确实存在艰涩之嫌。
Kant's philosophical system is grand, but his linguistic expression is indeed suspected of being abstruse.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
