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副 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
副
fù
secondary
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
auxiliary
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
deputy
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
assistant
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
vice-
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
classifier for pairs, sets of things & facial expressions
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
to assist, to supplement; assistant; secondary; auxiliary
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
abbr. for 副詞
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
adverb
HSK 5, b, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
副
fù
abbr. for 副詞|副词 adverb
HSK 5, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1082, Hard
fù(fu4)fu T4
1secondary
2auxiliary
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March 24, 2026
副fù(fu4)
The character 副 (fù) refers to something that is secondary or auxiliary in nature. It is often used in contexts such as titles (e.g., 副总理 for 'vice premier') or to describe roles that support or complement a primary function, like an assistant. Additionally, it can be used in grammatical terms, such as 副词 (fùcí), meaning 'adverb'.
Strokes11Radical刂Frequency#1082DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese bureaucracy, titles incorporating 副 are common and signify a clear hierarchy, reflecting the importance of roles in governance and administration. This is evident in various governmental positions, such as 副主席 (fù zhǔxí, 'vice-chairman').
Memory tip
Imagine a deputy (副) standing beside a leader, symbolizing support. The left side of the character resembles a person standing next to another person, emphasizing the idea of being 'auxiliary' or 'secondary'. The pronunciation 'fù' can remind you of 'foot,' as in someone helping another to stand.
Meanings of 副
fù(fu4)
1secondary
2auxiliary
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 副 means.
About 副
副Simplified
11Strokes
刂Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#1082Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 副
Podcast: 副
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AI study notes for 副
Quick Contrast
副 (fù) vs 辅 (fǔ) — pick 副 when referring to a secondary title or role, while 辅 is used for supportive or assisting actions.
Usage Notes
When using 副, learners should be careful to distinguish it from similar terms, ensuring the context supports the idea of being 'secondary' or 'auxiliary.' It is typically used in formal contexts, especially in titles or roles. Common collocations include 副职 (fùzhí, 'deputy position') and 副作用 (fùzuòyòng, 'side effect').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 副 connects well with other terms related to roles and functions, such as 领导 (lǐngdǎo, 'leadership') and 助理 (zhùlǐ, 'assistant'). Students should focus on how 副 can modify other nouns to indicate a subordinate or supportive role.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 副 with 主 (zhǔ, 'main') and use it incorrectly in contexts that require a primary term. For example, saying 副领导 ('副 main leader') instead of just 领导 is incorrect; it should simply be 领导.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 副
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副 = 刂 + 畐. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 副
IDS Structure⿰畐刂
副Full character
=
畐fu2
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 副?
How to say secondary in Chinese
“secondary” in Chinese is副fù
The character 副 (fù) refers to something that is secondary or auxiliary in nature. It is often used in contexts such as titles (e.g., 副总理 for 'vice premier') or to describe roles that support or complement a primary function, like an assistant. Additionally, it can be used in grammatical terms, such as 副词 (fùcí), meaning 'adverb'.
When to use 副
When using 副, learners should be careful to distinguish it from similar terms, ensuring the context supports the idea of being 'secondary' or 'auxiliary.' It is typically used in formal contexts, especially in titles or roles. Common collocations include 副职 (fùzhí, 'deputy position') and 副作用 (fùzuòyòng, 'side effect').
副 or something close to it
副 (fù) vs 辅 (fǔ) — pick 副 when referring to a secondary title or role, while 辅 is used for supportive or assisting actions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 副 with 主 (zhǔ, 'main') and use it incorrectly in contexts that require a primary term. For example, saying 副领导 ('副 main leader') instead of just 领导 is incorrect; it should simply be 领导.
Write 副
副
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Grammar patterns of 副
副 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Behind the facade they are just like the rest of us.
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Word Family of 副
Words containing this character20
副fùsecondary
副主任fùzhǔrèndeputy director
副作用fùzuòyòngside effect
副主席fùzhǔxívice-chairperson
副书记fùshūjideputy secretary副書記
副部长fùbùzhǎngassistant (government) minister副部長
副市长fùshìzhǎngdeputy mayor副市長
副总裁fùzǒngcáivice-chairman (of an organization)副總裁
副本fùběncopy
副总理fùzǒnglǐvice-premier副總理
副手fùshǒuassistant
名副其实míngfùqíshínot just in name only, but also in reality (idiom)名副其實
全副quánfùcompletely
副院长fùyuànzhǎngdeputy chair of board副院長
副秘书长fùmìshūzhǎngvice-secretary副秘書長
副业fùyèsideline副業
副官fùguānaide-de-camp
副教授fùjiàoshòuassociate professor (university post)
副总统fùzǒngtǒngvice-president副總統
副校长fùxiàozhǎngvice-principal副校長
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 副
What does 副主任 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 副
副 typically indicates a secondary role or a position that complements a primary one, while 助 means 'to assist' or 'to help' in a more general sense.
Yes, while it is often used in formal contexts, you can use 副 in everyday conversations to describe roles or positions, especially when discussing work or responsibilities.
No, 副 can also describe things that are secondary or supportive, such as in the term 副产品 (fùchǎnpǐn, 'by-product').
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