Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== pínglùn: 评论 - Comment, Review, Critique ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** pínglùn, 评论, Chinese comment, Chinese review, what does pinglun mean, online comments in Chinese, write a review in Chinese, commentary, critique, feedback in Chinese. * **Summary:** The Chinese word **评论 (pínglùn)** means **comment, review, or critique**. It is an essential term for modern China, used as both a noun (a comment) and a verb (to comment). From leaving a quick reply on social media to writing a detailed movie review or offering a formal critique on a news event, **评论 (pínglùn)** covers the full spectrum of expressing an opinion or judgment about something that already exists. Understanding this word is key to navigating China's vibrant digital world, from e-commerce product reviews to online discussions. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** pínglùn * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To comment on or review something; a comment or review. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **评论 (pínglùn)** as the universal word for feedback. It’s the button you click online to "Comment" and it's also the word for the review you leave on a product you bought. The word itself is neutral—a **评论** can be positive, negative, or just an observation. It’s a reaction to a piece of content, a product, an event, or a performance. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **评 (píng):** To judge, assess, or comment. This character is composed of 言 (yán), the radical for "speech," and 平 (píng), which means "flat," "level," or "fair." So, 评 (píng) visually represents making a "fair and level-headed judgment" through speech. * **论 (lùn):** To discuss, debate, or state an opinion. This character also contains the "speech" radical 言 (yán). The right side, 仑 (lún), provides the sound and hints at "order" or "logic." Thus, 论 (lùn) suggests a "logical or ordered discussion." Combining them, **评论 (pínglùn)** literally means "to judge and discuss" or "a fair and ordered discussion," which perfectly captures the modern meaning of a well-considered comment or review. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In modern China, **评论 (pínglùn)** is the lifeblood of the digital economy and social interaction. The concept is far more integrated into daily decision-making than its Western equivalent, "reviews" or "comments," might suggest. For instance, when choosing a restaurant on the app Meituan (美团) or buying a product on Taobao (淘宝), Chinese consumers rely almost religiously on the **评论区 (pínglùn qū)**, the comment section. A high volume of positive comments (**好评 hǎopíng**) can make a product an instant bestseller, while a flurry of negative ones (**差评 chàpíng**) can destroy a business's reputation overnight. This cultural emphasis has led to the phenomenon of **刷好评 (shuā hǎopíng)**, "brushing good reviews," and the rise of the **水军 (shuǐjūn)**, or "water army"—paid ghostwriters who flood comment sections with fake positive reviews to manipulate public opinion. This is a significant cultural contrast to the West, where while fake reviews exist, the terminology and scale of this "industry" are unique to the Chinese internet ecosystem. The act of leaving a **评论** is seen as a direct form of participation and influence. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **评论 (pínglùn)** is extremely versatile and used in many contexts, from very casual to highly formal. **As a Noun (a comment/review):** * **Online:** This is the most common usage. It refers to a comment on a social media post, a product review on an e-commerce site, or a review of a movie on a site like Douban (豆瓣). * `这篇帖子的**评论**很有意思。` (The comments on this post are very interesting.) * **Formal:** It can refer to a formal commentary, critique, or review in media or academia. * `他写了一篇关于这部电影的**评论**。` (He wrote a review of this movie.) **As a Verb (to comment/to review):** * **Online:** Used to describe the action of leaving a comment. * `请在下面**评论**。` (Please comment below.) * **Formal/In Conversation:** Used when asking for someone's assessment or opinion on a matter. * `我想请您**评论**一下我们的新方案。` (I'd like to ask you to comment on our new plan.) The tone of **评论** is neutral. To specify, you must add adjectives like **好评 (hǎopíng)** for a "good review" or **差评 (chàpíng)** for a "bad review." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 这部电影收到了很多正面的**评论**。 * Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng shōudàole hěn duō zhèngmiàn de **pínglùn**. * English: This movie received many positive reviews. * Analysis: Here, **评论** is a noun meaning "reviews." The adjective **正面 (zhèngmiàn)**, meaning "positive," clarifies the nature of the reviews. * **Example 2:** * 你可以**评论**一下我的新发型吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ **pínglùn** yíxià wǒ de xīn fàxíng ma? * English: Can you comment on my new haircut? * Analysis: This is an informal, verbal use of **评论** as a verb. The particle **一下 (yíxià)** softens the request, making it sound like "comment a little" or "give a quick comment." * **Example 3:** * 我买东西以前，总是先看**评论**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ mǎi dōngxi yǐqián, zǒngshì xiān kàn **pínglùn**. * English: Before I buy something, I always read the reviews first. * Analysis: A perfect example of modern consumer behavior in China. **评论** here refers specifically to customer/product reviews online. * **Example 4:** * 老师让每个学生都**评论**一本书。 * Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng měi ge xuéshēng dōu **pínglùn** yī běn shū. * English: The teacher had every student review a book. * Analysis: Demonstrates **评论** used as a verb in an academic or formal context, meaning "to review" or "to critique." * **Example 5:** * 他的**评论**一针见血，指出了问题的核心。 * Pinyin: Tā de **pínglùn** yī zhēn jiàn xiě, zhǐchūle wèntí de héxīn. * English: His commentary was sharp and to the point, identifying the core of the issue. * Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom **一针见血 (yī zhēn jiàn xiě)**, literally "one needle sees blood," to describe a **评论** (noun) as being incisive and insightful. * **Example 6:** * 如果你喜欢这个视频，请点赞和**评论**。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xǐhuān zhège shìpín, qǐng diǎnzàn hé **pínglùn**. * English: If you like this video, please "like" and comment. * Analysis: This is standard social media language. **评论** is used as a verb alongside **点赞 (diǎnzàn)**, "to click like." * **Example 7:** * 我给那个服务员留了个**差评**，因为他态度很差。 * Pinyin: Wǒ gěi nàge fúwùyuán liú le ge **chàpíng**, yīnwèi tā tàidù hěn chà. * English: I left that waiter a bad review because his attitude was terrible. * Analysis: This shows the use of the specific term **差评 (chàpíng)**, "bad review," which is derived from **评论**. **留 (liú)** means "to leave." * **Example 8:** * 新闻**评论**员正在分析当前的国际形势。 * Pinyin: Xīnwén **pínglùn** yuán zhèngzài fēnxī dāngqián de guójì xíngshì. * English: The news commentator is analyzing the current international situation. * Analysis: **评论** is part of a compound noun here: **评论员 (pínglùn yuán)**, which means "commentator" or "reviewer." * **Example 9:** * 欢迎大家在**评论**区自由发言。 * Pinyin: Huānyíng dàjiā zài **pínglùn** qū zìyóu fāyán. * English: Everyone is welcome to speak freely in the comment section. * Analysis: Another essential modern term, **评论区 (pínglùn qū)**, literally "comment area," means "comment section." * **Example 10:** * 对于这件事，我暂时不作任何**评论**。 * Pinyin: Duìyú zhè jiàn shì, wǒ zànshí bú zuò rènhé **pínglùn**. * English: Regarding this matter, I will make no comment for the time being. * Analysis: A formal way to decline to comment, often used by officials or in public relations. **作评论 (zuò pínglùn)** is a common verb-object phrase meaning "to make a comment." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **评论 (pínglùn) vs. 意见 (yìjiàn):** This is a critical distinction for learners. * **评论** is a reaction to something that already exists or has happened (a movie, an article, a past event). It's about judgment and analysis. * **意见 (yìjiàn)** means "opinion" or "suggestion" and is usually about a future plan or a current situation that can be changed. * **Incorrect:** `对于我们的新计划，你有什么评论？` (What comments do you have on our new plan?) This sounds like you're asking for a formal critique of a finished document. * **Correct:** `对于我们的新计划，你有什么**意见**？` (What suggestions do you have for our new plan?) This is the natural way to ask for input. * **评论 (pínglùn) vs. 批评 (pīpíng):** * **评论** is neutral. It can be positive (**好评**), negative (**差评**), or just an observation. * **批评 (pīpíng)** is inherently negative. It means "to criticize" or "criticism" and focuses on faults. * **Example:** `我的老板评论了我的报告。` (My boss commented on my report.) - This is neutral. Maybe he liked it, maybe he didn't. * **Example:** `我的老板**批评**了我的报告。` (My boss criticized my report.) - This is clearly negative. He found mistakes. * **False Friend: "Critique"** * While **评论** can be translated as "critique," the English word "critique" often implies a formal, in-depth, and structured analysis. **评论** has a much broader range. A one-word comment online like "哈哈 (hāhā)" or "顶 (dǐng - 'upvote'/'support')" is also a **评论**. Don't assume **评论** always means a deep analysis. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[好评]] (hǎopíng) - A positive review/comment; "good praise." A specific, positive type of **评论**. * [[差评]] (chàpíng) - A negative review/comment; "bad review." The direct antonym of **好评**. * [[意见]] (yìjiàn) - Opinion, view, or suggestion. Used for seeking input on plans, not for reviewing finished work. * [[批评]] (pīpíng) - To criticize; criticism. A type of **评论** that is explicitly negative and points out faults. * [[观点]] (guāndiǎn) - Point of view, standpoint. This is the content or substance //of// a **评论**. * [[反馈]] (fǎnkuì) - Feedback. A slightly more formal or technical term, often used in business or user testing contexts. * [[留言]] (liúyán) - To leave a message. Often used interchangeably with **评论** in online contexts, but can also refer to voicemails or notes left for someone. * [[帖子]] (tiězi) - A post (on a forum or social media). This is the object that often receives a **评论**. * [[水军]] (shuǐjūn) - "Water army." A culturally significant term for paid online commenters who post fake **评论**. * [[回复]] (huífù) - To reply. This is an action within a **评论区**; you reply to a specific **评论**.