This study systematically examines disyllabic-monosyllabic word pairs in Mandarin Chinese, revealing rich and consistent contrasts across register, semantics, syntax, and morphological function. These contrasts are demonstrated through minimal pairs and grammaticality judgments, offering a principled account of how syllable count governs Chinese grammar. Specifically, the monosyllabic-disyllabic opposition serves to anchor register, mark syntactic structures, distinguish meanings, and establish morphological paradigms.

Key Findings:
1.Register-Syntax Interface
Monosyllabic words (e.g., 买 mǎi "buy," 读 dú "read") belong to colloquial register, while their disyllabic counterparts (e.g., 购买 gòumǎi "purchase," 阅读 yuèdú "read formally") are formal. Syntactically, monosyllables resist coordinate predicates (我买和读了一本书 Wǒ mǎi hé dú le yī běn shū ?), whereas disyllables permit them (我购买和阅读了一本书 Wǒ gòumǎi hé yuèdú le yī běn shū* ?).
2.Semantic Granularity
Disyllables often exhibit semantic bleaching. For instance, 挖 wā "dig" requires four semantic components: [using tools/hands], [inward motion], [applied force], and [removal], whereas 挖掘 wājué "excavate" relaxes the tool requirement, enabling abstract collocations (挖掘潜力 wājué qiánlì "tap potential" ? vs. 挖潜力 wā qiánlì ?; 挖掘思想 wājué sīxiǎng "explore ideas" ? vs. 挖思想 wā sīxiǎng ?).
3.Morphological Constraints

Syllable count governs nominalization: disyllabic verbs permit de-marked nominal forms (教材的编写 jiàocái de biānxiě "textbook compilation" ?), while monosyllables prohibit them (教材的编 jiàocái de biān ?). Similar contrasts include 家具的摆放 jiājù de bǎifàng "furniture arrangement" ? vs. 家具的摆 jiājù de bǎi ?.

Theoretical Implications:
These findings provide critical data for Chinese register studies, lexicology, syntax, morphology, word formation, and prosody. The accompanying Dictionary of Chinese Register-Sensitive Word Pairs will serve as an indispensable resource for advancing research across these disciplines.

Feng Shengli, Professor at the Institute of Linguistic Sciences, Beijing Language and Culture University. Currently serves as Director of the Zhang Huang Academic Theory Research Institute at Beijing Language and Culture University and Chair Professor at the Center for Linguistic Sciences, Tianjin University. His research interests include studies on Zhang Huang academic thought, the intellectual history of Qian-Jia School's "Li Bi" theory, traditional Chinese philology (xunguxue), prosodic grammar, register-based grammar, diachronic Chinese syntax, and classical Chinese rhythmic literature. He has published 16 academic monographs (including 2 in English, with 2 others translated into English and Korean) and over 170 academic papers in Chinese and English. Currently serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Prosodic Grammar and Journal of Chinese Linguistics (JCL, SSCI-indexed).

This dictionary series serves as an essential reference for both Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) and native Chinese language education, providing instructors and students with systematic tools to enhance register awareness and stylistic competence. By elucidating the nuanced contrasts between monosyllabic-disyllabic word pairs, it empowers educators to integrate register-based pedagogy, thereby improving learners’ ability to select context-appropriate expressions.
Beyond pedagogical applications, the dictionary also supports professionals in language-related fields (e.g., editors, translators, copywriters), offering practical guidance for real-world language use and fostering precision in written and spoken communication.