Abstract:

Abstract: As metalinguistic interpretive terms, the “Zhi(指)” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms in the Modern Chinese Dictionary is characterized by a large number of members, a high frequency of use, significant differences in the frequency of use among internal members, and varied usage. Based on the number of additional qualifying components before “Zhi,” the “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms can be divided into: non-qualified, single-qualified, double-qualified, triple-qualified and quadruple-qualified “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms. In terms of the metalinguistic interpretive pattern, the “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms often has another meaning before it; in terms of parts of speech, the “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms is mainly used for nominal and verbal expressions. The main function of the “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms is to indicate non-literal meanings, metaphorical meanings, and referential meanings. In future revisions, emphasis should be placed on revising those expressions that use the “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms to indicate literal meanings and metaphorical meanings, and functionally similar “Zhi” type of metalinguistic interpretive terms such as “houzhi(后指)”and “houlaizhi(后来指)” should be unified.

Key words: Modern Chinese Dictionary, Zhi(指) type of metalinguistic interpretive terms