词典

• Pinyin: cí diǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 词 = 讠 (speech) + 司 (manage) — word; 典 = a standard or authoritative text

Meaning

Dictionary. A reference book listing words with definitions and explanations.

Specifically a word dictionary, as opposed to 字典 (character dictionary). Can be physical or digital. 电子词典 means electronic dictionary. In everyday speech, 词典 and 字典 are sometimes used interchangeably.

Examples

1. 遇到不认识的词，可以查词典。 If you come across a word you don't know, you can look it up in the dictionary.
2. 我买了一本英汉词典。 I bought an English-Chinese dictionary.
3. 现在很多人用手机上的词典。 Nowadays many people use the dictionary on their phone.

Usage Guide

Context: study, language learning, reference

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你有英汉词典吗？(Do you have an English-Chinese dictionary?)
• 这个词词典上有。(This word is in the dictionary.)

Don't Say

• 注意词典和字典的区别 — 词典 focuses on words and phrases, while 字典 focuses on individual characters. In everyday use, 字典 is more common for general dictionary reference.

Origin & History

Compound of 词 (word) and 典 (canon, standard reference). 典 originally depicted holding a bamboo text reverently — an authoritative reference.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal