HSK · Level 61
105 words
Chinese word
散文
Pronunciation
Pinyinsǎn wén
Meaning
- nounprose
Example
这本书收集了很多散文。zhè běn shū shōu jí le hěn duō sǎn wén
This book contains a lot of prose.
More examples
散文的语言朴素而富有节奏。sǎn wén de yǔ yán pǔ sù ér fù yǒu jié zòu
The language of prose is plain and rhythmic.
Core concept
Writing that lets ideas and feelings unfold in ordinary language without the patterning of verse.
Common phrases
散文集sǎn wén jí
prose collection
现代散文xiàn dài sǎn wén
modern prose
古典散文gú diǎn sǎn wén
classical prose
Similar words
文章wén zhāng: A written composition that expresses a complete set of ideas or information.
随笔suí bǐ: A short, informal piece about personal reflections or observations.
记叙文jì xù wén: Writing that describes what happened by following the event sequence.
说明文shuō míng wén: Writing that gives clear explanations of facts, processes, or steps.
Definition in Chinese
不按韵律或固定格式写成，以日常语言和自由的句段表达思想感情的文学体裁。bú àn yùn lǜ huò gù dìng gé shì xiě chéng yǐ rì cháng yǔ yán hé zì yóu de jù duàn biǎo dá sī xiǎng gǎn qíng de wén xué tǐ cái
Word origin
散文 (sǎnwén, "prose") combines 散 (sǎn, "loose") with 文 (wén, "writing"), presenting writing that moves freely rather than following the tight patterns of verse.
Usage tips
- In reading lists, 散文 (sǎnwén, "prose") can include personal essays, travel writing, and other reflective pieces, so it does not mean only a long or difficult literary work.