Chengyu Application Dictionary

Author: Wang Zhijie
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features:
Preface:
1. This dictionary includes 5,980 idioms (excluding 3,092 idioms with the same or similar meanings but different forms), along with a small number of set phrases and colloquialisms.
2. The main entries are common idioms. Those with the same or similar meanings but different forms are listed under "Variations." Selected synonyms and antonyms are also included.
3. The explanations for each entry mainly include: phonetic transcription, structure, contextual meaning, key word/phrase definitions, sources, usage, emotional tone, example sentences, synonym differentiation, and antonym lists.
4. Phonetic Transcription: Uses standard Mandarin phonetic notation. Four-character idioms can be read as two two-syllable parts, separated by a hyphen, while non-four-character idioms and set phrases/colloquialisms are written as one continuous word. Tones are marked, but tone changes are not indicated.
5. Word Meaning: First explains the idiomatic meaning, including its literal, metaphorical, and transferred meanings, and then explains the difficult characters or phrases within the idiom.
6. Sources: Generally summarizes the meaning of idioms concisely. When needed, references sources or allusions to clarify the meaning.
7. Structure: Analyzing the internal structure of idioms helps reveal the hierarchy and meaning of linguistic units. Categories include: subject-predicate, coordinated, modified, object-predicate, complemented, serial verbs, pseudo-subject, reduplicated; (coordinated compound sentences), (resultative compound sentences), (causal compound sentences), (contradictory compound sentences), (conditional compound sentences), (alternative compound sentences), (progressive compound sentences), (compounded sentences with omitted pauses), etc.
8. Differentiation: Compares the main entry and "Variations" entries in terms of form and meaning, explaining the changes. For synonym differentiation, includes semantic, usage scope, tone, and application characteristics.
9. Emotional Tone: Refers to the emotional connotation of idioms, categorized as: eulogistic, derogatory, neutral, neutral-leaning-eulogistic, and neutral-leaning-derogatory. Idioms marked as neutral include those that are neither eulogistic nor derogatory, as well as those that contain both eulogistic and derogatory connotations.
10. Example Sentences: Typically constructed based on the entry’s meaning, highlighting different usages of the idiom. Sentences are () and expressed in modern Chinese to facilitate readers' learning and usage, encouraging them to generalize from examples.
11. Antonym Lists: Grasps the meaning of idioms from a broader perspective, listing antonyms from semantic or opposite angles. Selects idioms that are close to the main entry’s meaning, commonly used, and representative, without aiming for complete coverage. Includes a small number of antonym phrases (not listed as main entries) to help readers understand idioms from multiple angles.
12. Symbols and Functions in This Dictionary
13. Common Terms Used in This Dictionary
1. (Variant Form): Refers to the non-standard forms of idioms.
2. (Mutually Variant Forms): Both are common and standard idioms.
3. (Morpheme Variants): Different morphemes, e.g., "" (exteriorly gentle, interiorly tough) vs. "" (exteriorly gentle, interiorly tough). The morpheme "" (interiorly tough) vs. "" (interially tough) differ, making these idioms morpheme variants. (Morpheme Order Variants): Same morphemes but different orders, e.g., "" (myriad shades of color) vs. "" (myriad reds and purples). "" (myriad shades of color) vs. "" (myriad reds) are morphemes, making these idioms morpheme order variants. (Different Words): Different words, e.g., "" (reward according to labor) vs. "" (distribute according to labor). "" (reward) vs. "" (distribute) are different words, making these idioms word variants. (Word Order Reversal): Same words but reversed order, e.g., "" (patch wounds by gouging flesh) vs. "" (gouge flesh to patch wounds). "" (patch wounds) and "" (gouge flesh) are words, making these idioms word order reversal variants.
4. (Phrase): Combinations of words, also referred to as "word groups" in some grammar books.
5. (Compact Compound Sentence): Sentences without commas (eliminating pauses) or with some words omitted, e.g., "" (not giving up until reaching the Yellow River).
14. Arrangement: The main text is arranged in the order of Mandarin phonetic symbols. Entries with the same initial phonetic symbol are sorted by stroke count, and those with the same stroke count are arranged by starting stroke order, and so on.
15. This dictionary includes a "Phonetic Symbol Table" at the beginning and a "Categorical Index by Stroke Count" at the end (main entries, synonyms, and antonyms in Song typeface; "Variations" entries in Kai typeface).
16. This dictionary follows the standardized words recommended by the State Language Commission’s "Draft Table for Standardizing Variants" (March 2002).