Newly Compiled Dictionary of Chinese Antonyms

Author: Xu Shiying, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-04-01
Features:
1. This dictionary selects approximately 3,000 compound words with antonyms and synonyms for use by primary and secondary school students, Chinese language teachers, and enthusiasts, as well as providing research materials on antonyms and semantic systems for Chinese language scholars.
2. The vocabulary of this dictionary is primarily based on commonly used modern Chinese words, with a particular focus on words found in primary and secondary school textbooks. It also includes some newly coined words, new meanings, and a small number of classical Chinese terms, as well as a selection of idioms.
3. The main body of the dictionary is arranged in grouped form to present antonyms. In most cases, each group contains only one pair of antonyms, but some groups may include two or more. As a general rule, if a group exceeds five antonyms, it is divided into two groups. The order of words in each group is determined by convention and phonetic order, with words carrying positive or complimentary meanings generally placed first.
4. The pronunciation and order of words are marked according to the Hanyu Pinyin system. Homophones are arranged based on the number of strokes. If the first characters are the same, the second character's phonetic order and stroke count are used for further sorting, and the same principle applies to the arrangement of words within each group.
5. The form of characters follows the "Total List of Simplified Characters" (1986 revised edition) and the "Common Characters List of Modern Chinese" (1988 announcement). Definitions are referenced from the "Modern Chinese Dictionary" and strive to provide detailed explanations for each word within the same group.
6. Each group of words includes a "Discrimination" section, which notes the relative characteristics of the words in meaning. Most word groups also provide explanations and analyses of the usage scope, collocations, connotations (positive or negative), and degree of intensity of the antonyms within the group, as well as brief notes on the similarities and differences in their meanings. In cases where antonyms have relative or opposite meanings, the term "relative" is used uniformly in the discrimination without further.
7. The example sentences are selected from classic works and primary and secondary school textbooks, with the author, book title, or chapter name noted. Other self-composed or revised example sentences do not include sources.