====== shílì: 实例 - Real-world Example, Instance, Case Study ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 实例, shili, 实例 meaning, what does 实例 mean, 实例 vs 例子, Chinese for example, Chinese for instance, real-world example in Chinese, case study in Chinese, code example Chinese, instance of a class * **Summary:** The Chinese word **实例 (shìlì)** translates to "real-world example," "instance," or "case study." Unlike the general term for example, 例子 (lìzi), 实例 refers specifically to a concrete, actual case that has already happened. It is frequently used in formal, educational, business, and technical contexts (like programming) to provide tangible proof or a practical demonstration of a concept. Understanding 实例 is key to grasping how to support arguments and explanations with concrete evidence in Chinese. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shìlì * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** A real, existing example or instance used to illustrate a point. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of "case study" or a "real-life instance." While you can use the common word [[例子]] (lìzi) for any kind of example (even a hypothetical one), **实例 (shìlì)** adds weight and authority by implying "this isn't just a theoretical example; this is something that actually happened." It's the proof in the pudding. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **实 (shí):** This character means "real," "true," "actual," or "solid." It's found in words like [[事实]] (shìshí - fact) and [[实际]] (shíjì - reality). It grounds the word in something tangible and factual. * **例 (lì):** This character means "example," "case," or "precedent." It's the core component of words related to examples, like [[例子]] (lìzi - example). * Together, **实例 (shìlì)** literally means a "**real example**" or "**actual case**." The combination emphasizes that the example is drawn from reality, not imagination. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **实例 (shìlì)** reflects a highly pragmatic aspect of modern Chinese communication, particularly in education and business. There is a strong cultural emphasis on grounding abstract theories or sales pitches in tangible, proven results. Simply explaining a concept isn't as powerful as showing a real-world **实例** where it worked. * In the West, we might use the term "case study" in a very specific business or academic context. In China, the idea of using an **实例** is more broadly applied in formal situations to lend credibility to an argument. It's less about a formal report and more about the principle of using a real, verifiable example. For instance, when a teacher explains a scientific principle, they are much more likely to use a famous experiment or a common natural phenomenon as an **实例** rather than a purely abstract explanation. This approach values practicality and demonstrable evidence. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **实例** is a semi-formal to formal word used when you need to be precise and convincing. * **In Business and Sales:** A salesperson will present a successful client's story as a "成功**实例**" (chénggōng shìlì - a successful case/instance) to prove their product's value. It's more persuasive than just listing features. * **In Education and Academia:** A professor will use an **实例** to explain a complex theory. For example, using the 2008 financial crisis as an **实例** to explain economic principles. * **In Technology and Programming:** This is a very common and direct translation. An "instance" of a class in object-oriented programming is called a **实例**. A code snippet demonstrating a function is also a perfect **实例**. * **In Formal Writing and Speeches:** When making an argument, citing an **实例** adds factual weight and makes your position much stronger. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 为了让你更好地理解,我给你举一个**实例**。 * Pinyin: Wèile ràng nǐ gèng hǎo de lǐjiě, wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ yīge **shìlì**. * English: To help you understand better, I'll give you a real-world example. * Analysis: This is a classic phrase used in teaching or explaining. The speaker is signaling that they are about to provide a concrete, factual case, not just a random example. * **Example 2:** * 这个公司的成功是一个关于创新营销的经典**实例**。 * Pinyin: Zhège gōngsī de chénggōng shì yīge guānyú chuàngxīn yíngxiāo de jīngdiǎn **shìlì**. * English: This company's success is a classic instance of innovative marketing. * Analysis: Here, **实例** functions exactly like "case study" or "prime example" in a business context. * **Example 3:** * 在我们的网站上,你可以找到很多客户成功的**实例**。 * Pinyin: Zài wǒmen de wǎngzhàn shàng, nǐ kěyǐ zhǎodào hěnduō kèhù chénggōng de **shìlì**. * English: On our website, you can find many instances of customer success. * Analysis: Used in a marketing context. These "instances" are testimonials or case studies designed to build trust. * **Example 4:** * 老师用一个生活中的**实例**解释了这个物理定律。 * Pinyin: Lǎoshī yòng yīge shēnghuó zhōng de **shìlì** jiěshìle zhège wùlǐ dìnglǜ. * English: The teacher used a real-life example to explain this law of physics. * Analysis: Note the use of "生活中的" (shēnghuó zhōng de - from life), which further emphasizes the real-world nature of the **实例**. * **Example 5:** * 在面向对象编程中,对象是类的一个**实例**。 * Pinyin: Zài miànxiàng duìxiàng biānchéng zhōng, duìxiàng shì lèi de yīge **shìlì**. * English: In object-oriented programming, an object is an instance of a class. * Analysis: This is a direct, technical translation in the context of computer science. * **Example 6:** * 这份报告包含了好几个详细的**实例**分析。 * Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào bāohánle hǎojǐ ge xiángxì de **shìlì** fēnxī. * English: This report includes several detailed case study analyses. * Analysis: **实例分析** (shìlì fēnxī) is a common collocation meaning "case analysis" or "case study." * **Example 7:** * 你能提供一个具体的**实例**来支持你的论点吗? * Pinyin: Nǐ néng tígōng yīge jùtǐ de **shìlì** lái zhīchí nǐ de lùndiǎn ma? * English: Can you provide a specific instance to support your argument? * Analysis: This shows how **实例** is used in debate or formal discussion to demand evidence. * **Example 8:** * 历史上有无数的**实例**证明了这一点。 * Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng yǒu wúshù de **shìlì** zhèngmíngle zhè yīdiǎn. * English: There are countless instances in history that prove this point. * Analysis: Used to refer to historical events as concrete evidence. * **Example 9:** * 说明书里的每个功能都配有操作**实例**。 * Pinyin: Shuōmíngshū lǐ de měi ge gōngnéng dōu pèi yǒu cāozuò **shìlì**. * English: Every function in the instruction manual is accompanied by an operational example. * Analysis: Here, **实例** refers to a practical, step-by-step demonstration. * **Example 10:** * 学习新词汇最好的方法就是看大量的**实例**句子。 * Pinyin: Xuéxí xīn cíhuì zuì hǎo de fāngfǎ jiùshì kàn dàliàng de **shìlì** jùzi. * English: The best way to learn new vocabulary is to look at a large number of real example sentences. * Analysis: In linguistics or language learning, an **实例** is an authentic, real-world example of usage, not one created artificially for a textbook. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * The most common point of confusion is between **实例 (shìlì)** and **例子 (lìzi)**. * **[[例子]] (lìzi):** This is the general, everyday word for "example." It can be real, hypothetical, simple, or complex. Use it in most informal situations. * *Correct:* 苹果是水果的一个**例子**。 (Píngguǒ shì shuǐguǒ de yīge **lìzi**. - An apple is an example of a fruit.) * *Incorrect:* 苹果是水果的一个**实例**。 (This sounds overly formal and strange, as an apple isn't a "case study" of a fruit.) * **实例 (shìlì):** Use this when you mean a specific, real-world case, instance, or case study. It is more formal and carries more weight. * *Correct:* 苹果公司的发展是商业成功的绝佳**实例**。 (Píngguǒ gōngsī de fāzhǎn shì shāngyè chénggōng de juéjiā **shìlì**. - Apple Inc.'s development is an excellent instance of business success.) * *Incorrect:* For "give me an example," you'd almost always say "给我举个**例子**" (gěi wǒ jǔ ge **lìzi**) in daily conversation. Using **实例** would sound too serious. * **Key takeaway:** If you can replace "example" with "case study" or "real-world instance" in English, **实例 (shìlì)** is likely the right choice. If you just mean "for instance" or a simple example, use **例子 (lìzi)**. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[例子]] (lìzi) - The general, common word for "example." **实例** is a specific type of **例子**. * [[范例]] (fànlì) - A model example; a perfect case to be emulated. While an **实例** is just a real case, a **范例** is a *model* case. * [[案例]] (ànlì) - A case, especially in a legal, medical, or official context (e.g., "a legal case"). It's more formal and specific than **实例**. * [[例如]] (lìrú) - A formal way to say "for example" or "such as," used to introduce a list. * [[比如]] (bǐrú) - A more common and slightly more informal way to say "for example." * [[具体]] (jùtǐ) - Concrete, specific. An **实例** is always a **具体** example. * [[实际]] (shíjì) - Actual, practical, reality. This concept is the core of the character **实** in **实例**. * [[事实]] (shìshí) - Fact. An **实例** is used to demonstrate a **事实**.