文从字顺
wén cóng zì shùn
(of writing) fluent, clear and correct
Character by character
文wén
writing
writing
从cóng
flows
flows
字zì
words
words
顺shùn
smooth
smooth
Example
小学生的作文能写得文从字顺，就已经很不错了。
If a primary pupil’s composition reads fluently and correctly, that is already very good.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From 韩愈’s epitaph for the writer 樊绍述, praising prose in which 文从字顺各识职 (every word flows and knows its place). The basic standard teachers and editors set; more formal than 通顺.
Learn this in Lesson 254 · HSK 9+: 一本书的诞生 (How a book is made)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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