<p>In my understanding, 指 (zhi3) means "refers to". Sometimes it is interchangeable with 表示 (biao3shi4) or 表达 (biao3da2), which mean "expresses". Just like in an English dictionary, you might see a word with a definition that says X refers to Y or X is used to express Y. These words are used in a basically parallel way.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-02-23T05:11:46.383Z
so 是指 together means "refers to"?
jsj
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-02-23T23:16:56.353Z
Maybe "is referring to" would be close in English with all of our weird tenses. I think this 是 is not essential to the sentence, but adds emphasis.
aelephant
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-19T17:12:24.183Z
@trideceth12 You are right. "是指" is used together, meaning "refers to". "是" *is* an essential part. (native speaker here)
gonnastop
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-02-23T04:38:42.883Z
2012-02-23T04:38:42.883Z
aelephant
<p>How is 指 used, what is it's role in definitions such as this (from Wikipedia):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>研究生是*<em>指</em>*获得学士学位后继续深造.</p>
</blockquote>

<meaning><meaning-in-context>
How to use 指 when giving a definition?
# How to use 指 when giving a definition?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-02-23)

How is 指 used, what is it's role in definitions such as this (from Wikipedia):

> 研究生是\**指*\*获得学士学位后继续深造.

**Tags:** meaning, meaning-in-context

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-02-23. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

In my understanding, 指 (zhi3) means "refers to". Sometimes it is interchangeable with 表示 (biao3shi4) or 表达 (biao3da2), which mean "expresses". Just like in an English dictionary, you might see a word with a definition that says X refers to Y or X is used to express Y. These words are used in a basically parallel way.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: so 是指 together means "refers to"?  
> **username_1**: Maybe "is referring to" would be close in English with all of our weird tenses. I think this 是 is not essential to the sentence, but adds emphasis.  
> **username_2**: @trideceth12 You are right. "是指" is used together, meaning "refers to". "是" *is* an essential part. (native speaker here)  

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