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March 24, 2026
咨询(咨詢)zīxún(zi1xun2)
咨询 (zīxún) means to consult or seek advice, often in a formal context. It is commonly used in professional settings, such as business or legal advice, and can refer to inquiries made for information or assistance.
Strokes17Frequency#3698DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, consulting experts or seeking advice is often viewed as a sign of wisdom and humility, particularly in business practices where professional opinions are highly valued.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise elder sitting in a circle, surrounded by people seeking advice. The character 咨 (zī) resembles 'sitting' (the seated elder) while 询 (xún) sounds like 'inquire,' reinforcing the idea of questioning and seeking guidance.
Meanings of 咨询
zīxún(zi1xun2)
1to consult
2to seek advice
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About 咨询
咨询Simplified
咨詢Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#3698Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 咨询
Podcast: 咨询
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AI Study Notes for 咨询
Quick Contrast
咨询 (zīxún) vs 建议 (jiànyì) — use 咨询 when seeking formal advice or information, while 建议 is more about giving suggestions.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 咨询 with other similar verbs like 询问 (xúnwèn), which means to inquire in a more general context. It's used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 咨询 connects with other formal communication-related vocabulary. Focus on understanding its use in business contexts, and practice constructing sentences that involve seeking advice or consultation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 咨询 with the more informal term 询问 (xúnwèn). For example, saying '我想咨询你的意见' (I want to inquire your opinion) is correct, while '我想询问你的意见' (I want to consult your opinion) may not convey the same formal tone.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咨询
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How Well Do You Know 咨询?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 咨询 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.
咨询 (zīxún) means to consult or seek advice, often in a formal context. It is commonly used in professional settings, such as business or legal advice, and can refer to inquiries made for information or assistance.
When to use 咨询
Be cautious not to confuse 咨询 with other similar verbs like 询问 (xúnwèn), which means to inquire in a more general context. It's used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations.
咨询 or something close to it
咨询 (zīxún) vs 建议 (jiànyì) — use 咨询 when seeking formal advice or information, while 建议 is more about giving suggestions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 咨询 with the more informal term 询问 (xúnwèn). For example, saying '我想咨询你的意见' (I want to inquire your opinion) is correct, while '我想询问你的意见' (I want to consult your opinion) may not convey the same formal tone.
Write 咨询
咨
询
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Grammar Patterns of 咨询
咨询 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 4 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.
