zuk6 zi6逐字
Jyutpingzuk6 zi6
Yalejuhk jih
Definition
Word by word; character by character.
colloquialcommunicationdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the meticulous, often mechanical process of processing text or speech one unit at a time. It is frequently used to criticize translations that ignore idiomatic flow in favor of literal accuracy. While it can apply to reading or speaking, it is most commonly heard in the context of language learning or translation work.
Examples
Don't translate word by word, you need to make it sound more natural.
He read it out character by character, it sounded like a robot.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe general step by step processes, as it specifically refers to linguistic units like characters or words. For general step by step instructions, use 逐樣 or 逐個 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
