Python Jieba: Word Segmentation Explained

Jieba is a Chinese word segmentation tool that can be used to divide a Chinese text into individual words.

The basic process of using jieba is as follows:

1. To install the jieba library, you can do so using pip by running the command: pip install jieba.
2. Importing the jieba library: Use “import jieba” in your Python file to import the jieba library.
3. Loading dictionary: the jieba library requires the use of a dictionary for word segmentation. You can use jieba.load_userdict(file_path) to load a custom dictionary. Alternatively, you can use jieba.set_dictionary(file_path) to load a custom main dictionary.
4. Word Segmentation: Use the jieba.cut() method to segment words. This method has various parameter configurations and by default will return an iterable generator object, with each iteration returning a word.
5. Using the jieba.cut() method for word segmentation will return an iterable generator object. For example: words = jieba.cut(text).
6. Using the jieba.cut_for_search() method for word segmentation in search engine mode returns an iterable generator object. For example: words = jieba.cut_for_search(text).
7. Use the jieba.lcut() method for word segmentation, which will return a list. For example: words = jieba.lcut(text).
8. Use the jieba.lcut_for_search() method to tokenize in search engine mode, which will return a list. For example: words = jieba.lcut_for_search(text).
9. Note: Make sure the dictionary has been loaded before segmenting the text.
10. To obtain the word segmentation results, you can either iterate through a generator object or access a list object.
11. Loop through the generator object: for word in words: print(word).
12. Access the list object: print(words).
13. To shut down jieba: You can use the jieba.close() method to close jieba.

This is the basic usage of jieba, and there are some advanced features that can be found in the official documentation.