zi6 ngaan5字眼
Jyutpingzi6 ngaan5
Yalejih ngáahn
Definition
Wording; diction; the specific words chosen to express a meaning.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the choice of words used to convey a particular meaning or tone, rather than just the vocabulary itself. It is frequently used when critiquing or analyzing how something is phrased in professional or formal contexts like contracts, emails, or speeches. Using this term suggests that the speaker is paying close attention to the potential implications or nuances of the specific words chosen.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The wording in that contract is very complicated.
Do you think this wording is clear enough?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 詞彙, which refers to vocabulary or the lexicon as a whole. Use 字眼 when you are talking about the specific way a message is constructed or phrased, not when you are talking about someone's range of vocabulary.
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.
