Definition
字面 is an attributive word meaning 'literal' or 'surface-level', referring to the superficial interpretation of written characters or words as opposed to their figurative, contextual, or implied sense. You'll find it in fixed collocations like 字面意思 ('literal meaning') and 字面上 ('on the surface, literally'). It contrasts with 实际 (actual), 比喻 (figurative), and 深层 (deep).
attr.
(attributive) literalsurface-level (of written language, as opposed to figurative)
Examples
- 字面。Zhège cí de zì miàn yìsi hé tā de shíjì yòngfǎ bú yíyàng.The literal meaning of this word is different from its actual usage.
- 字面，。Nǐ bù néng zhǐ kàn zì miàn shàng de jiěshì, yào lǐjiě shàngxiàwén.You cannot just look at the surface-level explanation; you need to understand the context.
- 字面，。Zhè jù huà bù néng àn zì miàn fānyì, yīnwèi tā yǒu bǐyù yìyì.This sentence cannot be translated literally because it has figurative meaning.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.