zou6 ci4造詞造词
Jyutpingzou6 ci4
Yalejouh chìh
Definition
Word creation; coining or forming new words.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of coining new terms or inventing vocabulary, often in a playful or informal context. It is rarely used in everyday casual speech compared to terms like 創作 or 發明, as it sounds slightly more academic or linguistic. When people discuss slang or internet buzzwords, they might use it to describe the process of how those terms emerged.
Examples
He loves creating new words and is always saying trendy things.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 詞彙, which refers to vocabulary as a whole. Learners often mistakenly use 造詞 when they simply mean to look up a word or learn a new term.
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.
