dou6 jin4導言导言

Jyutpingdou6 jin4

Yaledouh yìhn

名詞

Definition

Introduction, foreword, or preface of a book or thesis explaining its origin, viewpoints, and conclusions.

writtenschoolother

How it's used

Used primarily in formal, academic, or literary contexts, this term refers specifically to the introductory section of a written work. While it serves a similar purpose to 前言, it often carries a slightly more analytical or scholarly tone, focusing on setting the stage for the arguments or methodology that follow.

Measure word

pin1篇pīn

Examples

le1呢pin1篇dou6導jin4言se2寫dak1得hou2好cing1清co2楚，tai2睇jyun4完zau6就ming4明bun2本syu1書gong2講me1咩。

This introduction is written very clearly; you'll understand what the book is about after reading it.

nei5你tai2睇zo2咗bun2本syu1書go2嗰pin1篇dou6導jin4言mei6未aa4呀？

Have you read the introduction of that book yet?

Common phrases

zaan3撰se2寫dou6導jin4言

to write an introduction

dou6導jin4言bou6部fan6分

the introduction section

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 介紹, which is a general term for an introduction or presentation of a person or object. Use 導言 strictly for written texts, whereas 介紹 is used for people, services, or general concepts.