Questions tagged [synonyms]
Questions about two or more expressions with a similar meaning.
117
questions
2
votes
4
answers
323
views
How does 讽刺 mean both "sarcastic" and "ironic"?
A colleague described a situation (or maybe something a person said in that situation) as "sarcastic," but it didn't really make sense. I asked if she meant "ironic," and she said ...
- 2,119
12
votes
7
answers
10k
views
What is the difference between 餐馆 and 饭店? Is 饭店 used for restaurant or hotel?
饭店 and 餐馆 can both mean restaurant. My Chinese friend here in Dongguan tells me 饭店 is not commonly used to mean hotel. I want to understand in what contexts both of these words are used. 谢谢.
- 495
2
votes
3
answers
144
views
What is the exact meaning of 着 and how to use it in a sentence?
What is the exact meaning of 着 and how can I use it in a sentence?
- 3,630
12
votes
7
answers
8k
views
What is the Difference Between 方法 and 办法?
Both have comparable definitions of "method", "manner", "means", etc. and describe or define a way of doing something. The phrase 没(有)办法 is often used to deflect responsibility by claiming ...
- 29
1
vote
3
answers
411
views
What are the differences between 效果 and 结果?
效果和结果有什么区别？Can both be used in the same context as synonyms, or are there situations in which one fits better than the other?
谢谢。
- 26
4
votes
3
answers
335
views
Difference between 饭店，饭馆 and 餐馆？
If 饭店 is a more formal restaurant than 饭馆, where would you situate 餐馆? More like an eatery, more low-key than 饭馆 or more formal than 饭店? Are there other differences in meaning between the three words?
- 255
20
votes
8
answers
9k
views
What's the difference between 星期X and 周X?
When accepting an answer, I noticed that the example used the word 周三 for Wednesday, but in my grammar, the days of the week are 星期一, 星期二, etc...
They seem both correct but, what's the difference? ...
- 1,382
1
vote
3
answers
190
views
What is the counterpart of self-respect in Chinese?
I think "self-confidence" and "self-esteem" are universal concepts. For example "self-confidence" is 自信 and they basically have the same meaning, the same goes to "...
- 131
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Difference of 青 and 黑
My dictionary tells 青 can mean black.
My questions are:
Is 青 generally used to mean black? In other words, is it always ambiguous to some extent whether it means blue or black?
When it means black, ...
- 11
0
votes
3
answers
85
views
In 中国实行独立自主的和平外交政策, why is 实行 correct and 执行 incorrect?
中国实行独立自主的和平外交政策。 ✓
中国执行独立自主的和平外交政策。 ✗
杨寄洲 et al.，1700对近义词语用法对比, p.1514 (original)
The above example comes from a reference book which describes the differences and similarities between Chinese ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What is the difference between 比如 and 例如
I know both can mean "for example/such as/for instance". They are most likely synonyms but even synonyms have slight subtle differences in precise meaning and usage.
I know that 例 can be used alone: (...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
298
views
Comparison of 稻 with 米饭, 白饭 or even 米 and 饭 individually
I just stumbled on 稻, and can't find more context, comparing it with other ways of calling rice. The main difference seems to be it is often used as part of "rice paddies" (稻田).
But other ...
- 207
2
votes
1
answer
123
views
Contranyms in the Chinese language
Some words in the English language are called 'contranyms', where depending on the context, the same word can have very opposite meanings.
For example:
leave - to go away from a certain place, but ...
- 77.1k
0
votes
2
answers
335
views
What is the difference between 留, 住 and 呆. They all mean to stay or live. Are they interchangeable?
What is the difference between 留, 住 and 呆. They all mean to stay or live. Are they interchangeable ?
- 12.1k
1
vote
1
answer
186
views
Ways to say "I love you" other than 我爱你
Are there any other ways to say "I love you" other than 我爱你?
It can't be that people say "I love you" only to their lovers. How do you say you love your friends or family that you ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
3
answers
346
views
Difference between 借 and 贷
Both can either mean "to borrow" or "to lend". I know you can combine both of them "借贷" to mean "debit and credit". But what are the differences in usage and semantics between those two words. They ...
- 151
32
votes
5
answers
27k
views
中文 vs. 汉语: What's the difference?
Apparently, both of these mean Chinese, and the Chinese language. I gather that 中文 is maybe more like "written Chinese," and 汉语 is "spoken Chinese." Is this correct?
I've often looked at BBC zhongwen,...
- 111
22
votes
8
answers
14k
views
Difference between 如果 and 要是?
In the Pimsleur Mandarin course it uses 如果 (rúguǒ) to mean 'if', but the dictionary shows 要是 (yàoshì) to have a similar meaning:
如果: if; in case; in the event that
要是: if
Are there any ...
3
votes
1
answer
211
views
如果 synonyms for semi-formal written
I can see from this post that in speaking 要是 is a good alternative.
However I am preparing for the 80 hanzi text required in HSK 5 and I feel like regardless of topic, I am over-using 如果.
My current ...
- 5,595
8
votes
7
answers
9k
views
What's the most usual way to say "hand sanitizer" in Chinese?
I'm finding in the non-touristy places in China where I'm spending my time in cheaper places etc that there's often no place to wash your hands, or it's dirty, or there's no soap.
I've been ...
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
2
votes
1
answer
64
views
Attack them when they are unready, take them by surprise ： 这个成语有多少方法可以说？
Could you please let me know which of these sound right and why the other ones sound wrong? I'm not sure about the difference between 不 and 无.
出其不意，攻其不备
攻其不备，出其不意
攻其无备，出其无意
攻其不备，出其无意
攻其无备，出其不意
都可以用吗
- 1,273
57
votes
9
answers
15k
views
What is the difference between 做 and 作?
做 and 作 are both translated as "to do" or "to make."
How can I tell when I should use one or the other?
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
5
votes
2
answers
428
views
Difference among these terms for student clubs: 队、团、俱乐部、社和兴趣小组?
In regards to their meanings as "student clubs" (at school), are there any differences in the following words: 队、团、俱乐部、社和兴趣小组？
For me, I personally find 队 to mean clubs having to do with ...
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
2
votes
2
answers
794
views
How do I translate the words “player” and “team” into Mandarin?
I have noticed there is a large number of words that translate as “player” and “team”. I've been trying to decipher those and so far it seems that:
玩家 wánjiā, 玩者 wánzhě – those two mean a player ...
- 677
0
votes
2
answers
750
views
What is the difference between 星期日 and 周日? [duplicate]
I know the definition of both of these words are Sunday but in what context are they used?
- 15.9k
1
vote
3
answers
1k
views
What's the difference between 周 and 星期? [duplicate]
From a dictionary lookup, it seems that both 周 and 星期 can mean "a week"—is there any difference in usage?
- 15.9k
5
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to say "obscene": translate 下流 or 輕佻?
I want to describe people wearing clothing as totally indecent and obscene, for instance because the clothing doesn’t remotely cover the buttocks. I am not talking about ordinary mini skirts or hot ...
- 5,452
5
votes
2
answers
346
views
Word pairs like 嫉妒/忌妒 with similar pronunciations and meanings - examples and discussion please
I was thinking about how slight changes in pronunciation are reflected in writing.
As a case in point, here are two examples of words whose pronunciations are different, but similar, and whose ...
- 444
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Differences between 记得 and 记住
Google obviously doesn't help, both recorded as remember / recall except 记得 as bring to mind and 记住 as bear in mind.
Found a blog post that is confusing with some claiming 记得 is more about having done ...
- 782
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
Modern Standard Mandarin equivalent of the 倒...不... and 半...不... constructs?
I've seen this mostly as dialect usage, but I'm wondering if there's a Modern Standard Mandarin (MSM) equivalent.
倒...不... - (seemingly) neither A nor B
倒男不女
倒文不武
倒明不白
半...不... - (seemingly) half A ...
- 5,452
4
votes
3
answers
277
views
霹雳与雷霆有什么分别？(What's the difference between 霹雳 and 雷霆?)
except for their other uses, such as 霹雳舞(breakdance) and their respective 成语, are they considered synonyms? they're both translated as
霹雳: thunderbolt
雷霆: thunderbolt
空中雷霆一响，就把孩子吓哭了 = The thunderbolt ...
- 5,452
2
votes
2
answers
332
views
To make friends: 交朋友 vs 认识朋友?
I have come across some sentences where both 认识朋友 and 交朋友 were translated as to make friends (even though typically 认识 is translated in English as to know). Is there a difference between them?
...
- 77.1k
8
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Difference between 各 and 每?
I'm used to using 每 for every. However, 各 came up one day and appears to me to have the exactly same meaning. Is there a contextual difference between the two that I am missing or can they be swapped ...
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
2
votes
2
answers
77
views
播出，廣播，轉播 ：哪裡不一樣？
So I'm studying the translation for broadcasting and three terms (well, excluding one, which I'll mention at the end) are given to me by a textbook. They are 播出, 廣播 and 轉播.
For the life of me I ...
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the difference between 看法 and 想法?
Both can mean "view/idea/opinion".
For example, I can say:
对这个问题有两种不同的看法 (there are two different view on this question)
Would it be reasonable to replace "看法" with "想法"?
- 15.9k
3
votes
2
answers
756
views
姐 vs 姊, etymology, and their English equivalences
Sometimes 姐 and 姊 are interchangeable, sometimes 姐 and 姊 have different meanings.
Can we summarize their usages? What is their etymology? And can we find their English equivalences?
It looks that ...
- 22.2k
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are there any differences between these Chinese terms for "French fries" / (hot) "chips"?
I just felt like some French fries for the first time since I've been in China so I bought some from a Dico's here in Zhangjiakou.
I ordered by pointing at the menu becuase I'm just beginning at ...
- 15.9k
3
votes
7
answers
949
views
Difference between 谦虚 and 虚心?
In my Chinese textbook, 谦虚好学 is used, and 虚心求教 is used as well. They both mean modest, so when should I use each one?
- 386
38
votes
9
answers
11k
views
What is the difference between 狗 and 犬?
狗 (gǒu) and 犬 (quǎn) both mean "dog" and both seem relatively common, but is there any difference between them? When should I use one and when should I use the other?
- 103
10
votes
2
answers
705
views
Different nuances of words such as 进行, 实施, 执行, etc
Chinese has a number of words with meanings like 'implement, execute, carry out', etc. These include 进行, 实行, 实施, 行使, 落实, 执行, and possibly a few others. These words are commonly used in bureaucratic, ...
- 954
13
votes
3
answers
533
views
Difference between 生前 and 死前
Literally, 死前 means before death while 生前 means before life. They seem to bear the opposite meaning. However, in most cases, they actually mean the same thing, i.e., when someone was still alive. What'...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
872
views
What is the difference between 保持, 维持 and 维护?
I know you can say 维持治安, but not ie. 保持治安, yet other examples seem to be very similar in terms of use—is that a collocation issue or different meaning?
Sources so far:
https://hinative.com/zh-CN/...
- 77.1k
3
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Difference Between 计算机 and 电脑
What's the difference between 计算机 and 电脑？Does the meaning differ between regions?
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
5
answers
10k
views
表达 vs. 表现 vs. 表示 vs. 显示
These four words all express (get it, because they all mean express ha ha ha) similar meanings: to express/show/display/manifest/demonstrate/convey/indicate etc. I'm sure there are subtle differences ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are 中国 and 中华 synonyms?
For example, Chinese Taipei can be translated either as 中国台北 or 中华台北。Are 中国 and 中华 synonyms?
If there is any differnce between 中国 and 中华，how to reflect the difference in English translation?
- 1,867
2
votes
1
answer
102
views
What is the difference (and english translation) between 风浪 and 涌浪?
As far as I can tell, 风浪 is waves created by wind, and 涌浪 would be waves created by tidal movements or surge waves. However, this is a very bulky way to describe them. What is the English for this ...
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
3
votes
4
answers
224
views
Difference between 沒轍, 莫可奈何，沒辦法
Can anyone help me with any differences between those words? C-E dictionaries say "there's no way out" or "nothing can be done" for all of them, C-C dictionaries say about the same.
However, I was ...
Mou某♦
- 35.7k
21
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Confusion about bian 邊 and miàn 面
I'm having a little trouble with learning directions and positions. It seems that most often the word bian is being used to indicate a position: front side 前邊, back side 後邊, etc.
But then I see stuff ...
- 414
3
votes
3
answers
576
views
The differences between 生日 and 生辰
Recently, I have come across people giving birthday wishes to others using the word 生辰 instead of 生日.
I looked up some online dictionary/translation tools and it turns out 生辰 also means birthday.
So ...
- 24k
2
votes
1
answer
185
views
How to deal with elasticity/flexibility in HSK vocabulary? [closed]
I'll be concise for those knowledgeable, and refer to brief and basic bibliography for those who are not.
The Chinese elasticity/flexibility is a lexical property of Chinese terms, two sides of the ...
CommunityBot
- 1