# 咬文嚼字

yǎo wén jiáo zì

Focus excessively on wording

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Bite words and chew characters

**Register:** Critical · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe pedantic attention to linguistic details.

Can be positive for necessary precision; tone depends on context.

## Understanding the expression

Biting and chewing language makes close examination seem slow and obsessive. The expression often criticizes someone who concentrates on tiny wording issues while missing the larger point. Yet careful language matters in contracts, scholarship, and editing, so context can soften the criticism or make the diligence appropriate. The useful distinction is whether the attention improves accuracy or obstructs understanding. It should not dismiss all requests to define important terms.

## Examples

开会别只咬文嚼字，要解决问题。

### Traditional Chinese

開會別隻咬文嚼字，要解決問題。

kāi huì bié zhī yǎo wén jiáo zì ， yào jiě jué wèn tí 。

Do not get stuck on wording; solve the problem.

律师审合同，难免要咬文嚼字。

### Traditional Chinese

律師審合同，難免要咬文嚼字。

lǜ shī shěn hé tong ， nán miǎn yào yǎo wén jiáo zì 。

A lawyer reviewing a contract must examine wording closely.

他咬文嚼字地挑错，没谈核心内容。

### Traditional Chinese

他咬文嚼字地挑錯，沒談核心內容。

tā yǎo wén jiáo zì dì tiāo cuò ， méi tán hé xīn nèi róng 。

He nitpicked words without discussing the main content.

改诗时她咬文嚼字，反复斟酌。

### Traditional Chinese

改詩時她咬文嚼字，反覆斟酌。

gǎi shī shí tā yǎo wén jiáo zì ， fǎn fù zhēn zhuó 。

She scrutinized every word while revising the poem.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%92%AC%E6%96%87%E5%9A%BC%E5%AD%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=481&webMd=1&la=0)

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