Chinese Word of the Day | 每日一词

特师的每日一词，2026年1月4日的词汇是：化 huà 外 wài 之 zhī 地 dì

释义 Definition

化外之地在古代指王朝统治范围之外、尚未接受中原文化教化的偏远地区，引申还没有被文明转化的地区。

Hua wai zhi di in ancient times referred to remote areas outside the dynasty's rule that had not yet accepted the civilization and teachings of the Central Plains culture, extended to mean regions not yet transformed by civilization.

例句 Example

近日的《三联生活周刊》中，有篇标题为《在地理踏访中，找到解决历史问题的方法》的文章，作者邢海洋是这样用这个词的：「如果沿着历史的脉络，岭南在相当长的历史时期内还都是流放犯人的地方，是一个化外之地。唐朝的韩愈因为谏佛骨被流放到潮州，那里边还有很多鳄鱼。宋朝诸如苏轼、苏辙被流放到岭南，更是我们大家所熟知的情况。」这里说的是古代岭南地区因为远离中原，被认为是文明未开化的偏远地带。

In the January 4, 2026, issue of Sanlian Life Weekly, an article titled 'Finding Solutions to Historical Problems Through Geographical Exploration' by author Xing Haiyang uses this term as follows: 'If following the thread of history, Lingnan was for a long time a place for exiling criminals, a hua wai zhi di. Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty was exiled to Chaozhou for admonishing against the Buddha's bones, where there were still many crocodiles. In the Song Dynasty, figures like Su Shi and Su Zhe were exiled to Lingnan, situations well-known to us all.' This refers to how ancient Lingnan, being far from the Central Plains, was considered a remote, uncivilized area.

你知道吗？ Did You Know?

你知道吗？‘化外之地’常与‘蛮荒之地’‘边陲’等词互换使用，但更强调‘未被教化’的文化属性。与之相对的词是‘王化之地’或‘中原’。古代中原王朝将长江以南、云贵高原等区域视为化外之地，但随着历代开发，这些地区逐渐融入中华文化圈。现代汉语中该词带贬义，使用时需注意语境。

Did you know? 'Hua wai zhi di' is often used interchangeably with terms like 'man huang zhi di' (wilderness) or 'bian chui' (borderlands), but it emphasizes more the cultural attribute of 'not yet civilized.' Its opposite terms are 'wang hua zhi di' (lands under royal influence) or 'zhong yuan' (Central Plains). Ancient Central Plains dynasties viewed areas south of the Yangtze River and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau as hua wai zhi di, but through development over dynasties, these regions gradually integrated into the Chinese cultural sphere. In modern Chinese, the term carries a derogatory connotation, so caution is needed in its usage context.

特师的每日一词，2026年1月3日的词汇是：琳 lín 琅 láng 满 mǎn 目 mù

释义 Definition琳琅满目意思是眼前充满了美好、精致的东西，让人看不过来。

Linlangmanmu means the eyes are filled with beautiful, exquisite things, making it impossible to take them all in.

例句 Example最新一期的美华杂志中，有篇文章是这样用这个词的：「顺着晨光来到中央大街的洋楼马迭尔宾馆……这里曾是东北最大的百货商店之一，琳琅满目的商品从欧洲舶来品到本土特产一应俱全。」这里说的是这家商店商品又多又好，让人眼花缭乱。

In the latest issue of Meihua Magazine, an article uses the word like this: 'Following the morning light to the Western-style building of the Modie'er Hotel on Central Street... this was once one of the largest department stores in Northeast China, with linlangmanmu goods ranging from imported European items to local specialties, all available.' Here, it describes the store's goods as both numerous and excellent, dazzling the eyes.

你知道吗？ Did You Know?你知道吗？琳琅满目来自传统名著《世说新语》，原指书架上都是好书。现在多形容商品、展品等又多又精美。类似词有目不暇接，但目不暇接更强调看不过来，琳琅满目更强调东西精美。比如：博物馆的展品琳琅满目，让人目不暇接。

Did you know? Linlangmanmu comes from the classic 'Shishuo Xinyu,' originally referring to bookshelves full of good books. Now, it often describes goods, exhibits, etc., as numerous and exquisite. A similar word is mubuxiajie, but mubuxiajie emphasizes being unable to see everything due to quantity, while linlangmanmu emphasizes the exquisite quality of the things. For example: The museum's exhibits are linlangmanmu, making people mubuxiajie.

特师的每日一词，2026年1月2日的词汇是：开 kāi 门 mén 红 hóng

释义 Definition开门红是指一开始就取得好成绩或好兆头，常用于形容新年、新项目或新阶段的顺利开始。Opening red refers to achieving good results or a good omen right from the start, often used to describe a smooth beginning of a new year, new project, or new phase.

例句 Example这是2026年1月2日的人民网中，这个词的一个用法：「2026年元旦，文旅市场迎来“开门红”……上海、北京、广州等城市成为热门目的地。」这里说的是新年第一天旅游市场就非常火爆。

This is a usage of the word from People's Daily on January 2, 2026: "On New Year's Day 2026, the cultural and tourism market welcomed an 'opening red'... Cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou became popular destinations." Here it means the tourism market was very booming on the very first day of the new year.

你知道吗？ Did You Know?开门红源自中国传统习俗，新年开门时见到红色象征吉祥。类似词有“开门见喜”，但“开门红”更强调实际成果，比如商店开业生意好、球队赛季首胜。反义词是“出师不利”，指开头不顺利。

Opening red originates from Chinese traditional customs, where seeing red when opening the door at New Year symbolizes good luck. A similar term is 'opening the door to see happiness,' but 'opening red' emphasizes actual outcomes, such as good business when a store opens or a team's first win of the season. The antonym is 'setting out on an unlucky start,' meaning an unfavorable beginning.

特师的每日一词，2026年1月1日的词汇是：新 xīn 年 nián 新 xīn 气 qì 象 xiàng

释义 Definition「新年新气象」是指新的一年带来新的面貌、新的开始，常用来表达对积极变化的期待。

"New Year, new atmosphere" means the new year brings a new appearance, a new beginning, often used to express anticipation for positive changes.

例句 Example2026年1月1日的上观中，有篇文章是这样用这个词的：「李在明上台后一直希望采取务实平衡的对华外交政策……真的给人一种新年新气象的感觉。」这里说的是韩国新总统上台后，中韩关系在新的一年可能出现积极转变。

In an article from January 1, 2026, on Shanghai Observer, it was used like this: "After Lee Jae-myung took office, he has always hoped to adopt a pragmatic and balanced foreign policy towards China... it really gives people a feeling of 'new year, new atmosphere'." Here it refers to the possible positive changes in China-South Korea relations in the new year after South Korea's new president took office.

你知道吗？ Did You Know?「新年新气象」和「万象更新」意思相近，但更口语化，专指新年带来的新变化。比如朋友换了工作，你可以说「祝你新年新气象」。这个词源于中国传统，新年时人们常打扫房屋、换新衣，象征辞旧迎新。

"New Year, new atmosphere" is similar in meaning to "everything is renewed" but is more colloquial, specifically referring to the new changes brought by the new year. For example, if a friend changes jobs, you can say "wish you a new year, new atmosphere". This term originates from Chinese tradition, where people often clean their houses and wear new clothes during the new year, symbolizing bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.