字斟句酌
zì zhēn jù zhuó
to weigh every word and sentence; to choose one’s words with great care
Character by character
字zì
word
word
斟zhēn
weigh
weigh
句jù
sentence
sentence
酌zhuó
ponder
ponder
Example
这份声明要代表公司对外发表，每一句都得字斟句酌。
This statement will go out in the company’s name, so every sentence has to be weighed with care.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
斟酌 (to deliberate, from 6-15) split across the two halves. Of drafting statements, contracts, translations and speeches, often adverbially: 字斟句酌地修改. Said of overly cautious officialese it can carry a touch of irony.
Learn this in Lesson 254 · HSK 9+: 一本书的诞生 (How a book is made)
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