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March 24, 2026
注意zhùyì(zhu4yi4)
注意 (zhù yì) means 'to take note of' or 'to pay attention to'. It is commonly used in contexts where focus or awareness is required, such as in instructions or warnings. The word emphasizes the importance of being mindful of something, whether it's a task, detail, or situation.
Strokes21Frequency#466DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, paying attention is highly valued, especially in education and professional settings. The phrase '注意安全' (zhù yì ān quán) is often used to remind people to be safe, reflecting the cultural emphasis on communal well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'zoo' where every animal is 'noticing' something unusual. The 'zhù' sounds like 'zoo', and 'yì' resembles 'eye', which can help you remember that this word is all about paying attention and noticing details.
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AI Study Notes for 注意
Quick Contrast
留意 (liúyì) vs 注意 (zhùyì): use 留意 when implying a more casual or ongoing observation, while 注意 stresses a more immediate or urgent need to focus.
Usage Notes
注意 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure to use it appropriately based on the situation. A common mistake is to confuse it with '留意' (liú yì), which also means to pay attention but has a slightly different nuance. Be mindful of your intonation to convey urgency or seriousness.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 注意 connects with other verbs related to perception and awareness, like '看' (kàn – to see) and '听' (tīng – to hear). Students should focus on using it in sentences that express caution or the need for attention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 注意 incorrectly with an object that doesn't require attention. For example, saying '注意吃' (pay attention to eat) is incorrect; it should be '注意饮食' (pay attention to diet) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 注意
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注意 (zhù yì) means 'to take note of' or 'to pay attention to'. It is commonly used in contexts where focus or awareness is required, such as in instructions or warnings. The word emphasizes the importance of being mindful of something, whether it's a task, detail, or situation.
When to use 注意
注意 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure to use it appropriately based on the situation. A common mistake is to confuse it with '留意' (liú yì), which also means to pay attention but has a slightly different nuance. Be mindful of your intonation to convey urgency or seriousness.
注意 or something close to it
留意 (liúyì) vs 注意 (zhùyì): use 留意 when implying a more casual or ongoing observation, while 注意 stresses a more immediate or urgent need to focus.
What learners get wrong
Learners often use 注意 incorrectly with an object that doesn't require attention. For example, saying '注意吃' (pay attention to eat) is incorrect; it should be '注意饮食' (pay attention to diet) instead.
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Grammar Patterns of 注意
注意 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
