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描述 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
描述miáoshùto describeHSK 5, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #2231, Hard
描述miáoshùdescriptionHSK 5, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #2231, Hard
miáoshù(miao2shu4)miao shu T2
  1. 1to describe
  2. 2description
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March 24, 2026

描述miáoshù(miao2shu4)

描述 (miáo shù) means 'to describe' or 'description' in Mandarin. It is used when conveying details about a person, object, or situation. This term is commonly employed in both spoken and written contexts, particularly in storytelling, reports, and academic writing.

Strokes19Frequency#2231DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese literature, detailed descriptions are valued for their ability to evoke vivid imagery and emotions, often seen in poetry and classical texts. This reflects the cultural appreciation for artistic expression and storytelling.

Memory Tip

Imagine a painter (描) capturing the essence of a subject with a brush (述). The brush strokes vividly bring the subject to life, helping you 'describe' it. The pinyin 'miao' sounds like 'meow', so picture a cat describing its favorite sunbeam with a brush!

Meanings of 描述

miáoshù(miao2shu4)
1to describe
2description
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About 描述

描述Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

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Podcast: 描述

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AI Study Notes for 描述

Quick Contrast

描述 (miáoshù) vs 叙述 (xùshù) — use 描述 when focusing on detailing characteristics, while 叙述 emphasizes narrating events or a sequence of actions.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 描述; it is often more formal than simply saying '说' (to say). Common collocations include '详细描述' (detailed description) and '生动描述' (vivid description). Avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler expressions would be appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

While 描述 is not listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above who are moving into more complex sentence structures. Focus on using it in descriptive sentences to enhance your language proficiency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 描述 with 讲 (to tell) and use them interchangeably, which can lead to vague expressions. For example, saying '我讲这个人' (I tell this person) instead of '我描述这个人' (I describe this person) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 描述

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Component Characters

描miáodepict
11 strokes扌
View full entry
述shùto state
HSK 78 strokes辶
View full entry

How to say to describe in Chinese

“to describe” in Chinese is描述miáoshù

描述 (miáo shù) means 'to describe' or 'description' in Mandarin. It is used when conveying details about a person, object, or situation. This term is commonly employed in both spoken and written contexts, particularly in storytelling, reports, and academic writing.

When to use 描述

Be mindful of the context when using 描述; it is often more formal than simply saying '说' (to say). Common collocations include '详细描述' (detailed description) and '生动描述' (vivid description). Avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler expressions would be appropriate.

描述 or something close to it

描述 (miáoshù) vs 叙述 (xùshù) — use 描述 when focusing on detailing characteristics, while 叙述 emphasizes narrating events or a sequence of actions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 描述 with 讲 (to tell) and use them interchangeably, which can lead to vague expressions. For example, saying '我讲这个人' (I tell this person) instead of '我描述这个人' (I describe this person) is incorrect.

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描
述

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Frequently Asked Questions about 描述

You can say '请详细描述一下情况' (Please describe the situation in detail).

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