<p>Indeed, we will find there are so many synonyms to explain one word in dictionary. Generally, the front of three or four synonyms are formal, but the most important is that we should put these synonyms into the special sentence, translate the whole sentence and choose the best word to explain the context. May be you will find all 2 or 3 synonyms can explain the same sentence, such as "I feel cold today." You can explain "我今天觉得很冷” or "我感觉今天很冷”。But if the sentence has a premise, such as " I caught a cold yesterday and I feel cold today". You should explain " 我昨天感冒了，所以今天感觉很冷。” Choose " 感觉” to emphasize "just feel by himself, don't think about the weather is colder than yesterday, just represent the feeling.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-22T06:43:16.153Z
2016-08-22T06:43:16.153Z
greglow
<p>Language is the "fuzziest" learning subject in my opinion. You don't have to use it very precisely in oral. People will ask you to clarify if they don't understand because of you use a wrong word. Then you know that one is incorrect. You try and practise more and more, you will know how to use them. This is so called "try-wrong".</p>

<p>So, don't worry, just say it. :D</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-31T07:43:55.937Z
2016-08-31T07:43:55.937Z
thinwa
<p>Use a learner's dictionary. Beginner and intermediate-level dictionaries don't have formal or literary words. You may want to try the <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/tuttle-learners-chinese-english-dictionary-9780804845274" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Tuttle Lerner's Chinese-English Dictionary</a>; it has an electronic version in <a href="http://www.pleco.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pleco</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-30T11:46:31.970Z
2016-11-13T13:01:06.373Z
2016-11-13T13:01:06.373Z
米好 '-'
<p>Natural language evolve according to needs, sometime a new word invented,sometime it is simplify and merge with others. </p>

<p>If you think synonyms in other language are confusing, you will notice there is similar confusion inside your mother language. </p>

<p>Does <code>resists</code> carry only one meaning ? 
<a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/resist" rel="nofollow noreferrer">resists as define in dictionary.com</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <ol>
  <li>to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.</li>
  <li>to withstand the action or effect of: to resist spoilage.</li>
  <li>to refrain or abstain from, especially with difficulty or reluctance: They couldn't resist the chocolates. </li>
  <li>( verb used without object) to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>My suggestion </p>

<ol>
<li>Read the whole sentences to learn the actual meaning of resists. Once you get use to it, it become natural habits. </li>
<li>Pickup synonyms from your native language and map it to similar word for foreign langauge.  </li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-15T11:15:21.193Z
2016-11-15T12:21:54.717Z
2016-11-15T12:21:54.717Z
mootmoot
<p>Particularly when it comes to verbs, I've noticed that there are so many synonyms. For example, "To resist": 抗，抵抗，抵制，抗拒，反抗 etc. "To feel": 感觉，觉得， 感到，感，感觉到 etc. "To handle": 处理，办理，处置，应付，办 etc.</p>

<p>Right now, I'm mostly concerned with being able to express myself verbally to my peers, not with talking to really important people or reading very formal literature, and I'm finding it hard to know which words I should learn, given that there are many synonyms.</p>

<p>Side note: Is it true that all verbs (or most) are also nouns?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-12T16:27:05.007Z
People will understand you if you slightly misuse the word. I think the only way to be perfect is listen to what your peers say and copy that. Those details can't be learned through textbook. Since you are a foreigner they won't be too strict to you.
jf328
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-12T16:39:54.060Z
in E verbs can be transformed to gerunds (动名词) and thus used in some way as nouns, in C verbs similarly can used as grammatical subjects or objects denoting the corresponding activity, which still does not mean they automatically also are nouns, why else would dictionaries specify words as verbs, nouns or both.
user6065
<grammar><mandarin>
Too many synonyms. How do I know which words are too formal/informal?
# Too many synonyms. How do I know which words are too formal/informal?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-08-12)

Particularly when it comes to verbs, I've noticed that there are so many synonyms. For example, "To resist": 抗，抵抗，抵制，抗拒，反抗 etc. "To feel": 感觉，觉得， 感到，感，感觉到 etc. "To handle": 处理，办理，处置，应付，办 etc.

Right now, I'm mostly concerned with being able to express myself verbally to my peers, not with talking to really important people or reading very formal literature, and I'm finding it hard to know which words I should learn, given that there are many synonyms.

Side note: Is it true that all verbs (or most) are also nouns?

**Tags:** grammar, mandarin

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: People will understand you if you slightly misuse the word. I think the only way to be perfect is listen to what your peers say and copy that. Those details can't be learned through textbook. Since you are a foreigner they won't be too strict to you.  
> **username_2**: in E verbs can be transformed to gerunds (动名词) and thus used in some way as nouns, in C verbs similarly can used as grammatical subjects or objects denoting the corresponding activity, which still does not mean they automatically also are nouns, why else would dictionaries specify words as verbs, nouns or both.  

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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-08-22. Score: 2

Indeed, we will find there are so many synonyms to explain one word in dictionary. Generally, the front of three or four synonyms are formal, but the most important is that we should put these synonyms into the special sentence, translate the whole sentence and choose the best word to explain the context. May be you will find all 2 or 3 synonyms can explain the same sentence, such as "I feel cold today." You can explain "我今天觉得很冷” or "我感觉今天很冷”。But if the sentence has a premise, such as " I caught a cold yesterday and I feel cold today". You should explain " 我昨天感冒了，所以今天感觉很冷。” Choose " 感觉” to emphasize "just feel by himself, don't think about the weather is colder than yesterday, just represent the feeling.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2016-08-31. Score: 1

Language is the "fuzziest" learning subject in my opinion. You don't have to use it very precisely in oral. People will ask you to clarify if they don't understand because of you use a wrong word. Then you know that one is incorrect. You try and practise more and more, you will know how to use them. This is so called "try-wrong".

So, don't worry, just say it. :D


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### Answer by username_5 on 2016-08-30. Score: 0

Use a learner's dictionary. Beginner and intermediate-level dictionaries don't have formal or literary words. You may want to try the [Tuttle Lerner's Chinese-English Dictionary](http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/tuttle-learners-chinese-english-dictionary-9780804845274); it has an electronic version in [Pleco](http://www.pleco.com/).


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### Answer by username_6 on 2016-11-15. Score: 0

Natural language evolve according to needs, sometime a new word invented,sometime it is simplify and merge with others.

If you think synonyms in other language are confusing, you will notice there is similar confusion inside your mother language.

Does `resists` carry only one meaning ?
[resists as define in dictionary.com](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/resist)

> 1. to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.
> 2. to withstand the action or effect of: to resist spoilage.
> 3. to refrain or abstain from, especially with difficulty or reluctance: They couldn't resist the chocolates.
> 4. ( verb used without object) to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.

My suggestion

1. Read the whole sentences to learn the actual meaning of resists. Once you get use to it, it become natural habits.
2. Pickup synonyms from your native language and map it to similar word for foreign langauge.


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