New Century Synonym Dictionary (Abbreviated Edition)

Author: Compiled by the Lexicographical Research Center of Commercial Press
Publisher:
Publishing Date: November 19, 2004
Features: A detailed dictionary analyzing modern Chinese synonyms. Accurate and comprehensive, it explains both shared meanings and distinguishes nuances in emphasis, usage range, emotional tone, and grammatical function. Rich and vivid examples are provided, including classic literary works and memorable aphorisms. Emphasizes practicality with sections like "Related Synonyms" and "Notes" to expand vocabulary, highlight correct pronunciation, character forms, and meanings, and ensure standardized usage. Highlights educational value with features like "Quick Tips," "Test Yourself," and "" (Renowned Writers' Revisions), where "Test Yourself" selects questions from past middle and high school exams, and "" extracts examples of synonym usage from renowned authors' manuscripts. Especially suitable for primary and secondary school teachers and students, as well as Chinese language teaching. In the vast sea of vocabulary, synonyms are like colorful ripples, pleasing to the eye. They not only bring joy to the expresser in refining words but also allow the receiver to appreciate the charm of language and the beauty of art. Yes, they can accurately and appropriately convey emotions, highlighting subtle meaning differences; they can avoid monotony and (poverty) in language, making it richer and more vibrant; they can intensify tone and deepen impact; they can form new words and idioms, demonstrating strong productivity; and they can reflect different stylistic tones, becoming essential stylistic elements in various types of discourse. For these reasons, we believe it is highly necessary to compile a practical modern Chinese synonym dictionary for readers with intermediate to advanced education, especially primary and secondary school students. Fortunately, the Lexicographical Research Center of Commercial Press invited us to compile this dictionary, and we happily accepted the task. This dictionary is a compact, practical synonym reference that cannot include all types of synonyms. Therefore, synonymous terms are excluded, and among near-synonyms, only disyllabic words with high usage frequency are selected, along with some commonly used idioms, totaling over 700 sets. For the differentiation of meanings in each set, we avoid separating definitions and examples into separate sections and instead use a comparative analysis approach, which may facilitate reader comprehension. Each differentiation is immediately followed by corresponding examples, making the comparison clear and easy to follow, better suited for middle and high school students and readers of similar levels. When differentiating meanings, we have incorporated some newly emerging meanings to keep the dictionary more aligned with contemporary language use. Each set generally includes two words, with a few sets containing three. In reality, many synonyms are not limited to just two or three. To broaden the dictionary's scope, we have added additional synonyms after each differentiation. This includes synonyms shared by each set and other synonyms associated with one of the words in the set. To help readers understand synonyms accurately, we have included a "Note" section, covering correct pronunciation, character forms, and other variant words. For idioms, we have also provided brief annotations on their archaic meanings. To expand knowledge and enhance practicality and engagement, we have created a "Knowledge Window" section, featuring "" (Renowned Writers' Revisions) and "Test Yourself." "" selects examples from renowned authors' manuscripts across different periods, showcasing their meticulous language refinement. "Test Yourself" includes questions from past middle and high school exams to help readers practice synonym judgment. It should be noted that not all words chosen by authors for linguistic refinement are synonyms. They are included in the "Knowledge Window" as examples of word selection for reference.