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俗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
俗
sú
custom
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
convention
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
popular
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
common
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
coarse
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
vulgar
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
secular
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
俗
sú
social customs; vulgar, unrefined
HSK 7, a, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #8274, Very Hard
sú(su2)su T2
1custom
2convention
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
俗sú(su2)
The character 俗 (sú) refers to customs, conventions, or practices that are common within a society. It can imply something that is popular or widely accepted but may also carry connotations of being vulgar or unrefined. It is often used in contexts discussing social norms and cultural practices.
Strokes9Radical亻Frequency#8274DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, 俗 is often discussed in relation to traditional customs and practices, especially during festivals where old customs may clash with modern values. The tension between 俗 and refined tastes is a recurring theme in literature and social discourse.
Memory tip
Imagine a crowd (人) gathered around a loudspeaker, where loud and coarse music (俗) is playing. This represents the common and popular customs that everyone follows, but also hints at their potential vulgarity. The pronunciation 'sú' sounds like 'sue,' as in suing someone for bad taste in music.
Meanings of 俗
sú(su2)
1custom
2convention
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 俗 means.
About 俗
俗Simplified
9Strokes
亻Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#8274Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 俗
Podcast: 俗
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AI study notes for 俗
Quick Contrast
俗 (sú) vs 平常 (píngcháng) — use 俗 when emphasizing cultural or social customs, while 平常 focuses on the common or ordinary nature of something without the connotation of vulgarity.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 俗 with its synonyms, as it can imply a lack of refinement. It is often used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in overly formal writing. Common collocations include 俗话 (súhuà, 'common saying') and 俗气 (súqì, 'vulgar').
HSK Study Tips
Although 俗 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for level 3 learners who are expanding their understanding of social interactions. Focus on recognizing its usage in phrases related to customs and practices, as well as its antonyms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 俗 in formal contexts, thinking it carries a neutral meaning. For example, saying '这个建议很俗' (This suggestion is very vulgar) in a business meeting would be inappropriate. Instead, use a term like 普通 (pǔtōng, 'common') for a more neutral tone.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 俗
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Example
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Knowing 俗 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
俗 = 亻 + 谷. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 俗
IDS Structure⿰亻谷
俗Full character
=
亻ren2
left
谷gu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 俗?
How to say custom in Chinese
“custom” in Chinese is俗sú
The character 俗 (sú) refers to customs, conventions, or practices that are common within a society. It can imply something that is popular or widely accepted but may also carry connotations of being vulgar or unrefined. It is often used in contexts discussing social norms and cultural practices.
When to use 俗
Be careful not to confuse 俗 with its synonyms, as it can imply a lack of refinement. It is often used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in overly formal writing. Common collocations include 俗话 (súhuà, 'common saying') and 俗气 (súqì, 'vulgar').
俗 or something close to it
俗 (sú) vs 平常 (píngcháng) — use 俗 when emphasizing cultural or social customs, while 平常 focuses on the common or ordinary nature of something without the connotation of vulgarity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 俗 in formal contexts, thinking it carries a neutral meaning. For example, saying '这个建议很俗' (This suggestion is very vulgar) in a business meeting would be inappropriate. Instead, use a term like 普通 (pǔtōng, 'common') for a more neutral tone.
Write 俗
俗
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Practice writing 俗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 俗
俗 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
所谓入乡随____，就是到了一个新地方要尊重当地的风俗习惯。
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" means respecting local customs when you arrive in a new place.
Common confusions with 俗
俗vs塾
shú
Different meaning but phonetically similar
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “custom”?
or
Usage Notes for 俗
Misunderstanding '俗' in contextCommon Error
The character '俗' can have negative connotations, often referring to something vulgar or coarse. Learners should be cautious of its usage in formal contexts.
1
他的行为很俗
His behavior is very vulgar.
Exercise 1 of 1
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他的行为很____
His behavior is very vulgar.
Example sentences for 俗 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这篇课文把相当复杂的主题讲述得深入浅出、通俗易懂。
zhè piān kèwén bǎ xiāngdāng fùzá de zhǔtí jiǎngshù de shēnrù jiān chū、 tōngsú yì dǒng。
The text is approachable, coping well with quite complicated subjects.
2
正如一位愤世嫉俗的旧主顾所说的那样，“他很可能把差额塞进了自己的腰包！”
zhèngrú yī wèi fèn shì jí sú de jiù zhǔ gù suǒ shuō de nàyàng，“ tā hěn kěnéng bǎ chā’é sāi jìn le zìjǐ de yāo bāo！”
As one former customer said cynically, "He's probably pocketed the difference!"
3
通俗报纸的内页都有照片专栏.
tōngsú bàozhǐ de nèi yè dōu yǒu zhàopiàn zhuānlán.
The popular papers all have photo features on their inside pages.
In some cultures, giving gifts is a common custom to express friendship.
16
了解当地的饮食俗对融入新环境非常有帮助。
Liǎojiě dāngdì de yǐnshí sú duì róngrù xīn huánjìng fēicháng yǒu bāngzhù.
Understanding local dietary customs is very helpful for integrating into a new environment.
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Word Family of 俗
Words containing this character20
俗súcustom
习俗xísúcustom習俗
粗俗cūsúvulgar
世俗shìsúprofane
民俗mínsúpopular custom
不俗bùsúimpressive
俗话súhuàproverb俗話
愤世嫉俗fènshìjísúto be cynical憤世嫉俗
风俗fēngsúsocial custom風俗
俗称súchēngcommon term俗稱
低俗dīsúvulgar
通俗tōngsúcommon
俗气súqìtacky俗氣
庸俗yōngsúvulgar
俗语súyǔproverb俗語
俗套sútàocliché
俗话说súhuàshuōas the proverb says俗話說
脱俗tuōsúrefined脫俗
惊世骇俗jīngshìhàisúuniversally shocking驚世駭俗
入乡随俗rùxiāngsuísúWhen in Rome, do as the Romans do入鄉隨俗
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 俗
What does 习俗 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 俗
While 俗 refers to common customs and may imply vulgarity, 风俗 (fēngsú) specifically denotes social customs and traditions, often with a more positive connotation.
Generally, 俗 is more informal and may not be suitable for formal writing or speeches. It's better to use more refined terms in such contexts.
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