In recent days, an issue regarding inappropriate definitions in the “Xinhua Dictionary” has stirred up controversy after a citizen Ms. Zhang from Wuhan complained about unsettling content found while guiding her child to use the dictionary required by the school.
Ms. Zhang purchased the 12th edition of the “Xinhua Dictionary” for her first-grade child as per the teacher’s request at the beginning of the new school term for learning and reference purposes.
While the child was looking up words, they came across the definition entry for the character “玩” (“wán”), which, in addition to common explanations such as “to play” and “to watch,” surprisingly included an example – “to tease: play with women.”
Ms. Zhang emphasized her shock, stating, “My child is a little boy, when he asked me why ‘play’ needs to be associated with ‘playing with women,’ I was at a loss for words, unable to believe the Xinhua Dictionary would contain such content.” She stressed that as an authoritative tool for elementary students, each example in the Xinhua Dictionary could potentially have a subtle influence on minors in a crucial period of value formation.
She further questioned, “When explaining the meaning of ‘playing’ as ‘teasing,’ there are neutral terms like ‘to play with people’s hearts’ available, so why use a phrase that blatantly objectifies and discriminates against women as an example? This is simply inappropriate.”
A reporter from Changjiang Yun News reviewed the current widely circulated 12th edition of the “Xinhua Dictionary” and indeed found the example under the entry for the character “玩” (“wán”) as “to tease: play with women” on page 500. The same content can also be searched on the Xinhua Dictionary APP released by the Commercial Press.
In response, a customer service representative from the Commercial Press informed Changjiang Yun News that they have noted the situation and will provide internal feedback. When asked whether there will be adjustments made to the example in question, the representative mentioned, “There will be corresponding arrangements made subsequently.”
This incident quickly sparked attention on social media platforms.
Netizens expressed concerns, with one stating, “My first-grade child also uses the 12th edition of the Xinhua Dictionary, similar issues extend beyond just the term ‘play.’ As a tool book widely used by young students, teaching a young child who is just starting to read ‘to play with women,’ is this appropriate? I hope relevant departments rigorously scrutinize and hold accountable textbooks and tool books.”
“This dictionary uses ‘a burden’ in a sentence, saying ‘the child is young and has become a burden.’ It has previously trended widely. The guidance is problematic.” “My child also asked me about it, and later, I forbid my child from using the Xinhua Dictionary.”
Previously, the Xinhua Dictionary has faced lawsuits due to inappropriate definitions.
On December 15, 2023, a video blogger named “Qianniu, Spring” uploaded a video stating that the Xinhua Dictionary’s content “allegedly violates relevant laws and regulations, potentially causing adverse effects on the physical and mental well-being of minors.” She had submitted the lawsuit documents to the Yuhang District Court in Hangzhou.
The blogger questioned whether the annotations for the character “玩” (“wán”) in the Xinhua Dictionary, the phrase “to play with women,” the explanation for the character “別” (“bié”) as “tucked a pistol in his waist,” and the sentence using “a burden” as “the child is young and has become a burden” all violate the “Regulations on Publishing Management.”