Meaning
A punctuation mark used in Chinese writing to separate related clauses or list items that are more closely connected than those separated by periods but more independent than those separated by commas. The Chinese semicolon looks like a combination of a comma and a period (；) and functions similarly to its English counterpart.
Usage
Commonly used in formal writing, academic texts, and complex sentence structures. Native speakers use it less frequently in casual writing or online communication, where commas and periods are more common. It appears often in parallel structures and when listing complex items.
Examples
- 01这两个句子关系密切，中间应该用分号。, .These two sentences are closely related, so a semicolon should be used between them.
- 02请注意，汉语的分号是这样写的：；, : ；Please note that the Chinese semicolon is written like this: ；
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个分号
Common collocations
- 用分号to use a semicolon
- 分号隔开to separate with semicolons
Origin
Literally means 'dividing mark' or 'separating sign,' reflecting its function as a punctuation mark that divides related clauses. The term was coined when Western punctuation was adopted into modern Chinese writing.