zhāngjié: 章节 - Chapter, Section [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== zhāngjié: 章节 - Chapter, Section ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 章节, zhangjie, Chinese for chapter, what is a chapter in Chinese, book chapter in Chinese, section in Chinese, novel chapter, textbook section, 章, 节
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **章节 (zhāngjié)**, which means "chapter" or "section." This page breaks down how to use 章节 when talking about books, documents, and articles. Discover the difference between 章 and 节, and understand how this simple word is fundamental to structuring written content in Chinese, from modern textbooks to ancient novels.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhāngjié
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** A chapter or section of a written work, such as a book, report, or law.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **章节 (zhāngjié)** is the standard, go-to word for "chapter" in Chinese. Think of it as the general term for any major division in a book or long document. It's a compound word made of "chapter" (章) and "section" (节), and together they create a formal and comprehensive term for these structural units.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **章 (zhāng):** This character can mean "chapter," "seal/stamp," or "rules." Think of a stamp that marks the beginning of a new, distinct section of a document. It signifies a complete, self-contained unit.
  * **节 (jié):** This character's original picture was a stalk of bamboo, highlighting the joints (节). It means "section," "segment," or "festival" (a specific point in the year). It implies a part of a larger whole, like one segment of bamboo.
  * The two characters combine to form a comprehensive term. **章 (zhāng)** is the larger unit (chapter), and **节 (jié)** can be a smaller unit within it (section). Together, **章节 (zhāngjié)** covers the whole concept of chapters and sections.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * While **章节 (zhāngjié)** is a functional term, its usage highlights how structure is valued in Chinese writing and thought. Breaking down complex information into clear **章节** is a sign of organized thinking.
  * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** The use of **章节** is very similar to "chapter" in English. However, there's a culturally specific term you'll encounter in classic Chinese literature: **回 (huí)**. Famous novels like "Journey to the West" (西游记) are divided into **回**, not **章**. A **回** often ends on a cliffhanger, with the line "If you want to know what happens next, listen to the next chapter's decomposition" (欲知后事如何，且听下回分解). While **章节** is the modern, universal term, knowing **回** gives you a glimpse into the history of Chinese storytelling.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **章节 (zhāngjié)** is a formal and neutral term used universally in written and spoken contexts related to structured texts.
  * **In Education:** Teachers and students constantly refer to the **章节** of textbooks (e.g., "Please read the next chapter," "This week's test covers chapters 3 and 4").
  * **In Business and Law:** Contracts, reports, and legal documents are meticulously organized into **章节** for clarity and reference. You might hear someone say, "Please refer to Chapter 5, Section 2 of the contract."
  * **In Everyday Conversation:** When discussing a book you're reading, you would use **章节** to talk about your progress. "Which chapter are you on?" is a common question.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 这本书一共有十五个**章节**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū yígòng yǒu shíwǔ gè **zhāngjié**.
    * English: This book has a total of fifteen chapters.
    * Analysis: A straightforward, common sentence structure. The measure word for 章节 is 个 (gè).
  * **Example 2:**
    * 老师，我们今天的作业是读第三**章节**吗？
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī, wǒmen jīntiān de zuòyè shì dú dì-sān **zhāngjié** ma?
    * English: Teacher, is our homework today to read Chapter 3?
    * Analysis: Note the use of 第 (dì) to indicate ordinal numbers (first, second, third). It's essential when specifying a particular chapter.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这份报告的最后一**章节**总结了所有要点。
    * Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào de zuìhòu yī **zhāngjié** zǒngjiéle suǒyǒu yàodiǎn.
    * English: The final chapter of this report summarizes all the key points.
    * Analysis: This shows **章节** used in a formal, business context. 份 (fèn) is the measure word for a report (报告).
  * **Example 4:**
    * 我觉得小说的第一**章节**有点无聊，但后来变得越来越精彩。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ juéde xiǎoshuō de dì-yī **zhāngjié** yǒudiǎn wúliáo, dàn hòulái biànde yuèláiyuè jīngcǎi.
    * English: I think the first chapter of the novel is a bit boring, but it gets more and more exciting later on.
    * Analysis: Perfect for discussing books with friends. It shows how to express an opinion about a specific part of a story.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这部法律的**章节**结构非常复杂。
    * Pinyin: Zhè bù fǎlǜ de **zhāngjié** jiégòu fēicháng fùzá.
    * English: The chapter structure of this law is very complex.
    * Analysis: This example highlights that you can discuss the **structure (结构)** of the chapters themselves.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 你读到哪个**章节**了？别告诉我后面的内容！
    * Pinyin: Nǐ dú dào nǎge **zhāngjié** le? Bié gàosù wǒ hòumiàn de nèiróng!
    * English: Which chapter are you on? Don't tell me what happens later!
    * Analysis: A very common and natural conversational phrase when discussing a book with someone else.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 在写论文时，你需要合理地安排**章节**。
    * Pinyin: Zài xiě lùnwén shí, nǐ xūyào hélǐ de ānpái **zhāngjié**.
    * English: When writing a thesis, you need to arrange the chapters logically.
    * Analysis: This is key advice for academic writing. 安排 (ānpái) means "to arrange" or "to plan."
  * **Example 8:**
    * 网站上的教程被分成了几个简短的**章节**。
    * Pinyin: Wǎngzhàn shàng de jiàochéng bèi fēnchéngle jǐ gè jiǎnduǎn de **zhāngjié**.
    * English: The tutorial on the website was divided into several short sections.
    * Analysis: Shows that **章节** isn't just for books. It can be used for online content, courses, and tutorials. The passive structure with 被 (bèi) is common here.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这本书的目录清晰地列出了所有**章节**的标题。
    * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū de mùlù qīngxī de lièchūle suǒyǒu **zhāngjié** de biāotí.
    * English: The table of contents of this book clearly lists all the chapter titles.
    * Analysis: This connects **章节** to another important word, 目录 (mùlù), the table of contents.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 每一**章节**的末尾都有一个练习部分。
    * Pinyin: Měi yī **zhāngjié** de mòwěi dōu yǒu yíge liànxí bùfen.
    * English: At the end of every chapter, there is an exercise section.
    * Analysis: A typical sentence related to a textbook. 末尾 (mòwěi) means "the very end."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **The Biggest Nuance: 章节 vs. 章 vs. 节**
    * **章节 (zhāngjié):** The general, collective term for "chapters and sections." Use this when talking about the concept in general. (e.g., "This book has many chapters.")
    * **章 (zhāng):** Used to specify a single chapter, almost always with a number. This is the most common way to refer to a specific chapter.
      * Correct: `第一**章**` (dì-yī **zhāng**) - Chapter 1.
      * Incorrect: `第一章节` (dì-yī zhāngjié) - This is redundant and sounds unnatural to a native speaker.
    * **节 (jié):** A "section," which is usually a subdivision within a **章 (zhāng)**.
      * Example: `第二**章**，第三**节**` (dì-èr **zhāng**, dì-sān **jié**) - Chapter 2, Section 3.
  * **Don't use 章节 for a single, numbered chapter.** Remember the rule: if there's a number (第一, 第二, etc.), use **章 (zhāng)**. If you are talking about the chapters in general, use **章节 (zhāngjié)**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[章]] (zhāng)` - A single chapter, used with numbers (e.g., 第一章).
  * `[[节]] (jié)` - A section, a subdivision of a 章. Also means festival.
  * `[[回]] (huí)` - A chapter in traditional Chinese vernacular novels, like "Journey to the West."
  * `[[段]] (duàn)` - Paragraph. The level below a 节.
  * `[[篇]] (piān)` - A piece of writing, an article. Can sometimes be used for a chapter in a collection of essays.
  * `[[目录]] (mùlù)` - The table of contents, which lists all the 章节.
  * `[[部分]] (bùfen)` - Part, section. A more general word for a division that is not necessarily a formal chapter.
  * `[[条款]] (tiáokuǎn)` - A clause or article, specifically in a legal document, contract, or treaty.
  * `[[标题]] (biāotí)` - Title or heading, often used for the title of a chapter.
  * `[[结构]] (jiégòu)` - Structure or composition, used to discuss the organization of the 章节.