<p><strong>异形词</strong> is the broad term.</p>

<p>A more specific, albeit obscure and probably not widely accepted term would be: <strong>俗体词</strong>.</p>

<p>Usage of 俗体词 can be found on this Zhihu question: <a href="https://www.zhihu.com/question/24394835" rel="nofollow noreferrer">英译中里俗体词和异音词如何处理？</a> </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>俗体词（比如错音错意、用词不当等）</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Although it is talking about English, it should be clear enough to be understood in Chinese as well.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-19T02:56:23.650Z
2018-02-19T02:56:23.650Z
Mou某
<p>aren't they called 異體字 (variant character)?</p>

<p><a href="http://dict.variants.moe.edu.tw/variants/rbt/home.do" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://dict.variants.moe.edu.tw/variants/rbt/home.do</a></p>

<p>if this one doesn't suit your need, maybe:</p>

<p>"後起字", "分化字", "古今字",  or "訛變"</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-13T17:17:31.067Z
Not characters but words. Perhaps words are just 异形词 and nothing more. Maybe 俗形词 could work?
Mou某
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-13T17:19:00.947Z
might we invent 異體詞 to describe variant words :)
水巷孑蠻
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-13T17:20:31.443Z
The term 异形词 is already accepted though! (and I believe I've asked that before on Chinese SE). https://chinese.stackexchange.com/a/23184/4136 俗体词 on the other hand does look like another valid option.
Mou某
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-13T17:17:05.160Z
2018-02-13T17:17:05.160Z
水巷孑蠻
<p>Normal characters are (汉)字 and <em>nonstandard</em> characters are 俗子.</p>

<p>Wrongly written words or nonstandard forms of written words can be referred to by using <em>俗作</em>.</p>

<p>For instance, the entry for <em>耳食</em> in《南充方言词语考释》says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>“耳食”俗作“耳屎”、“耳视”等。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>What are these types of words called? </p>

<p>异形词 is an, obvious, option. I would like to be more specific noting that it is a 俗 problem.</p>

<p>俗词 would just talk about current terms or expressions, vulgarities or familiar language.</p>

<p>What is the proper term for nonstandard forms of written words?</p>

<terminology>
What are nonstandard forms of written words called?
# What are nonstandard forms of written words called?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-13)

Normal characters are (汉)字 and *nonstandard* characters are 俗子.

Wrongly written words or nonstandard forms of written words can be referred to by using *俗作*.

For instance, the entry for *耳食* in《南充方言词语考释》says:

> “耳食”俗作“耳屎”、“耳视”等。

What are these types of words called?

异形词 is an, obvious, option. I would like to be more specific noting that it is a 俗 problem.

俗词 would just talk about current terms or expressions, vulgarities or familiar language.

What is the proper term for nonstandard forms of written words?

**Tags:** terminology


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2018-02-19. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

**异形词** is the broad term.

A more specific, albeit obscure and probably not widely accepted term would be: **俗体词**.

Usage of 俗体词 can be found on this Zhihu question: [英译中里俗体词和异音词如何处理？](https://www.zhihu.com/question/24394835)

> 俗体词（比如错音错意、用词不当等）

Although it is talking about English, it should be clear enough to be understood in Chinese as well.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2018-02-13. Score: -2

aren't they called 異體字 (variant character)?

<http://dict.variants.moe.edu.tw/variants/rbt/home.do>

if this one doesn't suit your need, maybe:

"後起字", "分化字", "古今字", or "訛變"

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Not characters but words. Perhaps words are just 异形词 and nothing more. Maybe 俗形词 could work?  
> **username_1**: might we invent 異體詞 to describe variant words :)  
> **username_0**: The term 异形词 is already accepted though! (and I believe I've asked that before on Chinese SE). https://chinese.stackexchange.com/a/23184/4136 俗体词 on the other hand does look like another valid option.  

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