Commonly Misread and Miswritten Character Dictionary

Author: Xu Zhengyuan, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-04-01
Features:
1. This dictionary contains a total of 1,700 entries.
2. The entries are arranged in alphabetical order according to the Hanyu Pinyin system. Entries with identical pronunciation and tone are ordered by the following hierarchy: yinping (), yangping (), shangsheng (), and qusheng (). For example: qiwǎn (), qiqiú (), qǐshì (), qìnǎi ().
3. When the first characters of entries share the same pronunciation, they are arranged by the second character's pronunciation. For example: bùhán'érlì (), bùjiǎsīsuǒ (), bùkělǐyù (), bùmó'érhé ().
4. When the first characters of entries share the same pronunciation and stroke count, they are arranged by stroke count, with fewer strokes listed first. For example: jíjiǔ (), jípǔ (), jìbiàn (), jíkǔ ().
5. When the first characters of entries share both pronunciation and stroke count, they are arranged by stroke order: (yī), (), (), (), and ／. For example: bàoguāng (), bànfā (); qíqiú (); wéiwénwùnuò (), wéimiàowéixiào ().
6. Each entry first provides definitions, followed by illustrative examples. The dictionary follows the principle of balancing historical and modern sources, citing ancient examples before modern ones. Most entries include two examples—one ancient and one modern—but some without ancient examples may cite two modern ones. Entries with two or three meanings may include additional examples accordingly. Retain original usage in ancient examples that do not conform to current norms without modification.
7. For entries containing rare characters or multiple pronunciations, the pronunciation is noted before the definition. For example: [zhěnmì] (), “zhěn” is pronounced as zhen; [zhízhú] (), pronounced as zhizhu; [zhūjī] (), “jī” is pronounced as ji; [zhèngjié] (), “zhèng” is pronounced as zheng; [zīyáliězuǐ] (), “zī” is pronounced as Zi, etc.
8. Entries with multiple meanings are numbered with ①②③④ for separate definitions. For example: [zhǐfǎ] () ① the method and principles of finger movements when playing musical instruments; ② the technique of twisting needles in traditional Chinese acupuncture. [zǎshé] () ① describes fear-induced speechlessness; ② speechlessness due to surprise, amazement, or admiration. [cànlàn] () ① describes brightness; ② describes magnificence or splendor; ③ describes a brilliant or prosperous career. [chénlún] () ① refers to falling into a state of hardship; ② refers to moral decline; ③ refers to occupation by an enemy; ④ refers to immersing oneself in a hobby or pursuit, etc. Other entries follow the same format.
9. The [correct examples] cited in this dictionary are primarily from classical and modern works by renowned authors, while [incorrect examples] are drawn from over 100 domestic newspapers, magazines, books, radio, and television broadcasts, showcasing misused, misspelled, or mispronounced words and phrases.
10. To distinguish between correct and incorrect usage, underlines are added to words and phrases in [incorrect examples] for clarity and emphasis. For example: “bānlán” cannot be written as “bānlàn”; “bàoyuàn” cannot be written as “bàoyuàn”; “bāobì” should not be pronounced as “bāopì (pi)”; “bǐjiào” should not be pronounced as “bǐjiǎo (ji)”, etc.