词典 — meaning in English: dictionary

cídiǎn · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for dictionary

词典

cídiǎn

最爱

zuì ài

目标

mùbiāo

失败

shībài

通道

tōngdào

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 词典 when discussing language learning in educational settings, such as in classrooms or language exchange meetups. It can also be heard in casual conversations among friends when searching for the meaning of a word or phrase.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 词典 is 词汇表 (cíhuìbiǎo), which translates to 'word list' or 'glossary.' While 词典 suggests a comprehensive resource that includes definitions and usage examples, 词汇表 is typically more concise and may only list words without detailed explanations. Thus, one would choose 词典 when seeking in-depth information.

Culture

The term 词典 is composed of two characters: 词 (cí), meaning 'word,' and 典 (diǎn), which suggests 'canon' or 'classical text.' This reflects the role of a dictionary as a comprehensive resource for understanding language. Interestingly, the concept of dictionaries has deep historical roots in Chinese culture, with the first known Chinese dictionary dating back to the 3rd century AD, showing the long-standing importance of language documentation.

FAQ

Q.What is the difference between 词典 and 字典?

词典 (cídiǎn) refers specifically to a dictionary that provides definitions and explanations of words, while 字典 (zìdiǎn) focuses more on character definitions and usage, making it more suitable for understanding individual Chinese characters.

Q.How do you use the word 词典 in a sentence?

You can use 词典 in a sentence like '我在我的词典里查这个词' which means 'I looked up this word in my dictionary.' This shows its practical application in everyday language use.

Q.Is it common to carry a 词典 in China?

While traditional printed dictionaries are still used, many people now rely on digital dictionaries available on smartphones and computers, making instant access to language resources more convenient.

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