Abstract
Through analysis of lexical meanings, grammar structures and Chinese characters, this essay aims to prove that the primary semantic meaning of the word Dafang (the great truth) in the Chinese idiom Dafang Zhi Jia (great spirits) and Yi Xiao Dafang (show one's incompetence) which originated from Zhuangzi is "a massive quantity of water". Furthermore, it will also argue that the explanation, "the great truth", which is commonly adopted when using this Chinese idiom in modern Chinese language, is a provisional metaphor in the original text. This essay also points out that arbitrary changes in the standard of understanding original texts forms one of the commonly seen misunderstandings when learning Chinese idioms.
| Translated title of the contribution | The Primary Semantic Meaning of the Word Dafang in Zhuangzi: And Discussions on One of the Commonly Seen Misunderstandings When Learning Chinese Idioms |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Simplified) |
| Pages (from-to) | 44 - 55 |
| Journal | Language Teaching in China |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2023 |