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指點迷津

简指点迷津 · 繁指點迷津

Mandarin · pinyin zhǐ diǎn mí jīn

to show sb how to get to the right path

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Characters in this entry

指: zhǐ · finger, toe; point, indicate
點: diǎn · dot, speck, spot; point, degree
迷: mí · bewitch, charm, infatuate
津: jīn · ferry; saliva; ford
点: diǎn · dot, speck, spot; point, degree

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

3–3–2–1 · zhi3 dian3 mi2 jin1

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

指點迷津 · find source passages ↗ · 指点迷津 · find source passages ↗

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Rime Cantonese 粵拼

zi2 dim2 mai4 zeon1

Cantonese word readings for 指點迷津. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to provide the solution; to point out the right way

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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