gaan2 faa3 zi6簡化字简化字
Jyutpinggaan2 faa3 zi6
Yalegáan fa jih
Definition
Simplified Chinese characters; the standard characters officially promoted in Mainland China since 1956.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
Hong Kongers generally refer to traditional characters as 正體字 or 繁體字, and the term 簡化字 is specifically reserved for the mainland system. Using this term carries a neutral to slightly detached tone, as most locals are educated in and prefer traditional characters. It is rarely used to describe shorthand or informal handwriting, which would be called 簡寫 or 亂寫.
Examples
Her document is entirely in simplified characters, I find it very hard to read.
Related words
Common phrases
to write in simplified characters
to read simplified characters
Common mistake
Do not confuse 簡化字 with 簡體字, although they are often used interchangeably. 簡化字 technically refers to the official process of simplification, while 簡體字 is the common, colloquial name for the resulting script.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
