Definition
认字 is a separable verb (离合词) that means 'to recognize Chinese characters' or 'to be able to read'. The two syllables can split: you put numbers, measure words, or 了 between 认 and 字, e.g., 认了五百字 ('recognized 500 characters'). It's about decoding written language, not just 'know how to read' in a general sense.
v.o.
to recognize / read (Chinese characters)to be literate
Examples
- ，认字。Zhè háizi gāng shàng xiǎoxué, jiù kāishǐ xué rèn zì le.This child just started elementary school and is beginning to learn to read characters.
- ，。Tā yǐjīng rèn le liǎngqiān duō ge zì, kàn bàozhǐ méi wèntí.He has already recognized over two thousand characters, so reading the newspaper is no problem.
- 认字？？Nǐ rèn zì ma? Néng bù néng bāng wǒ kànkan zhè fēng xìn?Can you read? Could you help me look at this letter?
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