词典

词典 (cí diǎn) refers to a dictionary, a reference book or digital tool that provides meanings, pronunciations, and usage examples of words in a language.

The character 词 (cí) means 'word' or 'term,' while 典 (diǎn) means 'classical text' or 'standard.' Together, they imply a standard reference for words, making 词典 the most common term for a dictionary in Chinese.

词典 is widely used in both written and spoken contexts, especially in educational settings. It is essential for learners and native speakers alike. Common expressions include 词典查词 (look up a word in a dictionary) or 参考词典 (refer to a dictionary).