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素养 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
素养sùyǎng(personal) accomplishmentHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #34008, Very Hard
素养sùyǎngattainment in self-cultivationHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #34008, Very Hard
sùyǎng(su4yang3)su yang T4
  1. 1(personal) accomplishment
  2. 2attainment in self-cultivation
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March 24, 2026

素养(素養)sùyǎng(su4yang3)

素养 refers to a person's cultivation, refinement, or personal accomplishments that reflect their character and abilities. It's commonly used in contexts discussing education, personal growth, and self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of inner qualities and skills rather than just formal achievements.

Strokes19Frequency#34008DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 素养 is highly valued and often linked to Confucian ideals of self-cultivation and moral integrity. Individuals with high素养 are respected and seen as role models within their communities.

Memory tip

Think of 素 (sù) as 'plain' or 'basic' and 养 (yǎng) as 'nurturing' or 'raising'. Imagine a plain pot (素) nurturing a beautiful plant (养) that represents personal growth and cultivation, reminding you that true素养 is about nurturing your inner self to achieve greatness.

Meanings of 素养

sùyǎng(su4yang3)
1(personal) accomplishment
2attainment in self-cultivation
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About 素养

素养Simplified
素養Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 素养

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AI study notes for 素养

Quick Contrast

修养 (xiūyǎng) — use 素养 when emphasizing inherent qualities and abilities, while 修养 focuses more on acquired refinement and moral development.

Usage Notes

素养 is often used in formal contexts, such as educational discussions or personal development seminars. A common mistake is confusing it with mere academic achievement;素养 encompasses broader qualities, including ethics and emotional intelligence. Be mindful of using it appropriately in both spoken and written forms.

HSK Study Tips

While 素养 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to concepts of personal development found in higher-level vocabulary. Students should focus on understanding related terms like 学习 (study) and 修养 (self-cultivation) to deepen their comprehension of this word's nuances.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 素养 to refer only to academic achievements, which is incorrect. For example, saying '他的素养很好,因为他有很多学位' ('His 素养 is good because he has many degrees') misses the broader implications of personal qualities. A better phrase would emphasize his character traits or social skills.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 素养

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Component characters

素sùraw silk
HSK 710 strokes糸
View full entry
养yǎngto raise (animals)
HSK 39 strokes丷
View full entry

How to say (personal) accomplishment in Chinese

“(personal) accomplishment” in Chinese is素养sùyǎng

素养 refers to a person's cultivation, refinement, or personal accomplishments that reflect their character and abilities. It's commonly used in contexts discussing education, personal growth, and self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of inner qualities and skills rather than just formal achievements.

When to use 素养

素养 is often used in formal contexts, such as educational discussions or personal development seminars. A common mistake is confusing it with mere academic achievement;素养 encompasses broader qualities, including ethics and emotional intelligence. Be mindful of using it appropriately in both spoken and written forms.

素养 or something close to it

修养 (xiūyǎng) — use 素养 when emphasizing inherent qualities and abilities, while 修养 focuses more on acquired refinement and moral development.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes use 素养 to refer only to academic achievements, which is incorrect. For example, saying '他的素养很好,因为他有很多学位' ('His 素养 is good because he has many degrees') misses the broader implications of personal qualities. A better phrase would emphasize his character traits or social skills.

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素
养

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Cultural Notes for 素养

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Unlike in many Western cultures where personal achievements are often quantified (like degrees or job titles), Chinese culture emphasizes the intangible qualities of a person, such as their素养 and character.

Frequently asked questions about 素养

Improving your 素养 involves engaging in continuous learning, reflecting on your experiences, and developing emotional intelligence.

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