词语

• Pinyin: cí yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 词 = 讠 (speech) + 司 (manage) — word; 语 = 讠 (speech) + 吾 (I/self) — spoken language

Meaning

Words and phrases; vocabulary. A general term for words and expressions in a language.

Slightly more formal than 词. Often used in educational contexts, referring to vocabulary items in textbooks or exams. Can refer to both individual words and set phrases.

Examples

1. 请解释一下这些词语的意思。 Please explain the meaning of these words.
2. 这篇课文里有很多新词语。 There are many new vocabulary words in this text.
3. 老师让我们用词语造句。 The teacher asked us to make sentences using the vocabulary words.

Usage Guide

Context: education, textbooks, exams

Tone: academic

Do Say

• 请记住这些词语。(Please memorise these vocabulary words.)
• 这些词语在考试中可能会考到。(These words might appear on the exam.)

Don't Say

• 不要在日常对话中频繁使用词语 — in casual speech, 词 is more natural. 词语 sounds more textbook-like or academic.

Origin & History

Compound of 词 (word) and 语 (language, speech). Together they broadly encompass words and expressions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal