字典

• 拼音: zì diǎn
• 汉字拆解: 字 = 宀 (roof) + 子 (child), suggesting learning under a roof; 典 = 册 (book) + 丌 (stand), depicting books on a stand

含义

Dictionary. A reference book listing words with their meanings, pronunciations, and usage.

Specifically refers to a character-based dictionary (for looking up individual characters). For word-based dictionaries, 词典 is used. In modern usage, 字典 is often used generically for any dictionary. Electronic dictionaries and apps have largely replaced physical ones.

例句

1. 我不认识这个字，查一下字典吧。
2. 学中文最好有一本好字典。
3. 老师让我们用字典查生词。

用法指南

语境: study, everyday

语气: informational

正确说法

• 你查字典了吗？(Did you look it up in the dictionary?)
• 这本字典很有用。(This dictionary is very useful.)

错误说法

• 我看字典这本书。(Don't describe a dictionary awkwardly as 这本书 — just say 我查了字典 or 我看了这本字典.)

起源与历史

Compound of 字 (character/word) and 典 (canon/standard reference), literally 'character reference.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal