On the Similarities and Differences Between the Functions of Wen(文)and Zi(字)
Wen(文),first found in inscriptions on oracle bones,formed its shape in the human form with a tattoo,which means originally to carve line pattern or carved line pattern and then developed the meaning of character symbols in the pre-Qin period.Zi(字)was first seen in inscriptions on ancient bronze objects,with its shape originally coming from the shape of the two hands to help a woman in childbirth.Zi,differentiating from the same shape with Mian(娩),specifically records the meaning of fertility,and extends to refer to the name deriving from Ming(名)——the original name.Its meaning of the name then developed the meaning of character symbols approximately in the Western Han Dynasty.Xu Shen once made the description of Wen and Zi respectively to explain that one thing has different names and rationales,rather than to identify the differences in meanings.Therefore,Wen and Zi,with the same basic meaning when referring to character symbols,are often interchangeable.However,due to the different times when Wen and Zi produced the meaning of character symbols,the different sources of sound and meaning,the different extension directions,and different existing contexts,the two have their own special usage,which makes them unable to be interchanged in some cases.The difference between the use of Wen and Zi roughly lies in three aspects:first,the difference between different generations(ancient times or future generations);second,the difference between groups and individuals;third,the difference between the whole and the part.
Wen(文)Zi(字)charactersrationalefunction and usage of Chinese charactersimilarities and differences
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