A New Investigation into the Semantic Features of Chinese Four-Character Idioms : A Quantitative Analysis Based on the Markings in the Modern Chinese Dictionary

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This research examines the semantic features of Chinese four-character idioms documented in the Modern Chinese Dictionary, focusing on meaning types and distributions.
Analyzed 4,244 four-character idioms from the electronic version of the 7th edition of the Modern Chinese Dictionary.
Investigated the number of meaning items, types and distribution of deep meanings, and patterns of meaning coloring and generalization in proper nouns.
Categorized the deep meanings into types such as 'description', 'reference', and 'metaphor'.
Approximately two-thirds of idioms possess deep meanings, primarily characterized by 'description', followed by 'reference' and 'metaphor'.
85 idioms showed an identification of 'meaning color', with a predominance of negative meanings, yet positive and neutral meanings remain prevalent.
A trend of meaning change from positive to negative in many idioms illustrates dynamic semantic evolution.

Quantitative analysis explores semantic features of four-character idioms, uncovering implications for understanding meaning change.

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Liang Zhang (2026) studied this question.

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