文字 wénzì character
character; script; writing; written language; writing style; phraseology
How to remember 文字: 文 culture + 字 character = character.
Characters
How it is used
- Refers to writing or script as a system, not a single document: 中文文字 (Zhōngwén wénzì) - Chinese script/writing.
- Appears in set phrases like 文字游戏 (wénzì yóuxì, wordplay) and 文字工作 (wénzì gōngzuò, writing/editorial work).
- Compare 汉字 (hànzì), which names the actual Chinese characters, while 文字 is the broader term contrasting written language with speech (口语).
Example sentences
- 这是个文字游戏。 Zhè shì gè wénzìyóuxì.This is a pun.
- 不过是一个文字游戏罢了。 Búguò shì yígè wénzìyóuxì bàle.It's just a play on words.