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March 24, 2026
善于(善於)shànyú(shan4yu2)
The phrase 善于 (shàn yú) means 'to be good at' or 'to be adept at' something. It is commonly used to describe someone's skill or proficiency in a particular area, often highlighting a positive attribute in their abilities. This term is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing someone's talents or strengths.
Strokes15Frequency#5872DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being recognized as 善于 a skill is often a source of pride, and it reflects one's hard work and dedication. This concept aligns with the value placed on mastery and expertise in traditional Chinese arts and crafts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '善' (shan) person who is holding a '于' (yu) sign that boasts their talent. Visualize this person excelling in various tasks, showcasing their abilities. The character 善 combines the 'good' radical with 'to be', underscoring the concept of being proficient or skilled.
Meanings of 善于
shànyú(shan4yu2)
1to be good at
2to be adept at
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About 善于
善于Simplified
善於Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5872Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 善于
Podcast: 善于
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AI Study Notes for 善于
Quick Contrast
善于 (shàn yú) vs 擅长 (shàn cháng) — use 善于 when emphasizing general proficiency, while 擅长 focuses more on specific skills or expertise.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 善于 is often used in more formal contexts, especially in written language. A common mistake is to confuse it with '善' (shàn), which means 'kind' or 'good' without the context of skill. Correct usage would be: '他善于沟通' (He is good at communication).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 善于 connects well with other verbs expressing ability or skill, such as 能 (néng) and 会 (huì). Students should practice using it in sentences to express proficiency in various activities or subjects.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the correct structure. For example, saying '他善于学习' (He is good at study) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '他善于学习' (He is good at learning). Another mistake is using it inappropriately in informal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 善于
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The phrase 善于 (shàn yú) means 'to be good at' or 'to be adept at' something. It is commonly used to describe someone's skill or proficiency in a particular area, often highlighting a positive attribute in their abilities. This term is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing someone's talents or strengths.
When to use 善于
Be mindful that 善于 is often used in more formal contexts, especially in written language. A common mistake is to confuse it with '善' (shàn), which means 'kind' or 'good' without the context of skill. Correct usage would be: '他善于沟通' (He is good at communication).
善于 or something close to it
善于 (shàn yú) vs 擅长 (shàn cháng) — use 善于 when emphasizing general proficiency, while 擅长 focuses more on specific skills or expertise.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget to use the correct structure. For example, saying '他善于学习' (He is good at study) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '他善于学习' (He is good at learning). Another mistake is using it inappropriately in informal contexts.
Write 善于
善
于
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Grammar Patterns of 善于
善于 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
洛伦佐是天生的领袖，____交友。
Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily.
