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消息 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
消息xiāoxinewsHSK 4, n, 20 strokes, rank #411, Medium
消息xiāoxiinformationHSK 4, n, 20 strokes, rank #411, Medium
xiāoxi(xiao1xi5)xiao xi T1
  1. 1news
  2. 2information
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

消息xiāoxi(xiao1xi5)

The term 消息 (xiāo xī) refers to news or information about events, happenings, or updates. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in journalism, conversations, or official announcements. The nuance often implies the importance or relevance of the information being conveyed.

Strokes20Frequency#411DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, staying updated with current events and news is highly valued, often reflected in the importance placed on social media platforms and news outlets. The term 消息 is frequently used in the context of family and community updates, showcasing the communal aspect of sharing information.

Memory tip

Imagine a news bulletin board where important messages appear. The character 消 (xiāo) can be visualized as a person removing old news (like a ghost disappearing) while the character 息 (xī) resembles a breath or essence of life, representing the life-giving nature of fresh news. Together, they form 'news' as essential information.

Meanings of 消息

xiāoxi(xiao1xi5)
1news
2information
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 消息

消息Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#411Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 消息

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Podcast: 消息

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AI study notes for 消息

Quick Contrast

消息 (xiāoxi) vs 信息 (xìnxī): Choose 消息 when referring to news or updates that imply relevance, while 信息 is more general and can refer to any kind of information.

Usage Notes

Be careful to distinguish between formal and informal contexts when using 消息. Common collocations include '最新消息' (zuì xīn xiāo xī) meaning 'latest news' and '消息灵通' (xiāo xī líng tōng) meaning 'well-informed.' Avoid confusing 消息 with 讯息 (xùn xī), which can sometimes imply more formal or technical information.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 4, students should recognize 消息 as a noun and be able to use it in sentences. Focus on practicing with phrases and contexts that include this word, and connect it with other HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to communication and information.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 消息 with the word 信息 (xìn xī), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我有很多信息' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō xìn xī) when referring to personal updates may sound overly formal; instead, use 消息 for a more natural expression.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 消息

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Component characters

消xiāoto disappear
HSK 710 strokes氵
View full entry
息xībreath
HSK 310 strokes心
View full entry

How to say news in Chinese

“news” in Chinese is消息xiāoxi

The term 消息 (xiāo xī) refers to news or information about events, happenings, or updates. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in journalism, conversations, or official announcements. The nuance often implies the importance or relevance of the information being conveyed.

When to use 消息

Be careful to distinguish between formal and informal contexts when using 消息. Common collocations include '最新消息' (zuì xīn xiāo xī) meaning 'latest news' and '消息灵通' (xiāo xī líng tōng) meaning 'well-informed.' Avoid confusing 消息 with 讯息 (xùn xī), which can sometimes imply more formal or technical information.

消息 or something close to it

消息 (xiāoxi) vs 信息 (xìnxī): Choose 消息 when referring to news or updates that imply relevance, while 信息 is more general and can refer to any kind of information.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 消息 with the word 信息 (xìn xī), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我有很多信息' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō xìn xī) when referring to personal updates may sound overly formal; instead, use 消息 for a more natural expression.

Write 消息

消
息

Practice writing 消息 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 消息

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她一听到这个____就哭了。

As soon as she heard the news, she cried.

Example sentences for 消息 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我们从可靠的消息来源获知索尼娅非常爱自己的家人。

wǒmen cóng kěkào de xiāoxi láiyuán huò zhī Suǒ ní yà fēicháng ài zìjǐ de jiārén。

Sonia, we are reliably informed, loves her family very much.
2
这个消息给电信部门注入了一针强心剂。

zhège xiāoxi gěi diànxìn bùmén zhùrù le yī zhēn jiàng xīn jì。

The news gave a fillip to the telecommunications sector.
3
凯瑟琳确保这条消息直接传达给了沃尔特。

kǎi sè lín quèbǎo zhè tiáo xiāoxi zhíjiē chuándá gěi le wò ěr tè。

Catherine saw to it that the information went directly to Walter.
4
我认为他们已经得到了消息,知道这是错误的。

wǒ rènwéi tāmen yǐjīng dédào le xiāoxi, zhīdào zhè shì cuòwù de。

I think they got the message that this is wrong.
5
这则消息在中东总部引起了不安。

zhè zé xiāoxi zài zhōng dōng zǒngbù yǐnqǐ le bù’ān。

This message caused perturbation in the Middle East Headquarters.
6
这是我很久以来听到的最好消息。

zhè shì wǒ hěn jiǔ yǐlái tīngdào de zuìhǎo xiāoxi。

It's the best news I'veheard in a long time.
7
我对这条消息的总体反应可以用“哼儿哈儿”来概括。

wǒ duì zhè tiáo xiāoxi de zǒngtǐ fǎnyìng kěyǐ yòng“ hēng ér Hā ér” lái gàikuò。

My general reaction to this news might be summed up as "ho-hum"
8
我深感泄气地回去把这消息告诉了比尔。

wǒ shēn gǎn xièqì dì huíqù bǎ zhè xiāoxi gàosu le bǐ ěr。

Despondently, I went back and told Bill the news.
9
由于发生了不幸的意外,我知道消息的时候已经晚了一天。

yóuyú fāshēng le búxìng de yìwài, wǒ zhīdào xiāoxi de shíhou yǐjīng wǎn le yī tiān。

Through some unfortunate accident, the information reached me a day late.
10
收到他的好消息让我欣喜若狂。

shōudào tā de hǎo xiāoxi ràng wǒ xīnxǐ ruò kuáng。

I was so thrilled to get a good report from him.

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Frequently asked questions about 消息

消息 (xiāo xī) refers more specifically to news or updates, while 信息 (xìn xī) is a broader term for information in general.

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