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效率 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
效率xiàolǜefficiencyHSK 5, n, 21 strokes, rank #7876, Hard
xiàolǜ(xiao4lu:4)xiao lu: T4
  1. 1efficiency
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March 24, 2026

效率xiàolǜ(xiao4lu:4)

效率 (xiàolǜ) refers to the effectiveness of a process or action in achieving a desired outcome, often used in contexts such as work productivity and resource management. It emphasizes the relationship between input and output, indicating how well resources are utilized. Commonly, this term is used in business, education, and personal productivity discussions.

Strokes21Frequency#7876DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 效率 is highly valued, especially in the workplace, where improving efficiency is seen as a key to economic growth and personal success. Many companies implement practices aimed at enhancing 效率 to remain competitive.

Memory tip

Think of 效率 (xiàolǜ) as 'showing your ability' to get things done efficiently. The character 效 (xiào) resembles a person demonstrating something, while 率 (lǜ) can be imagined as a ruler measuring success. Together, they remind you of the importance of demonstrating high productivity.

Meanings of 效率

xiàolǜ(xiao4lu:4)
1efficiency
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 效率

效率Simplified
21Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7876Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

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Podcast: 效率

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AI study notes for 效率

Quick Contrast

效能 (xiàonéng) refers to the effectiveness or capability of a system or process in producing a specific result, focusing more on the functional aspect rather than the input-output ratio that 效率 emphasizes.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of the tone for 效率, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. This term is typically used in formal settings, especially in business contexts. Common collocations include '提高效率' (tígāo xiàolǜ - improve efficiency) and '工作效率' (gōngzuò xiàolǜ - work efficiency).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 效率 connects to other terms related to productivity and performance, such as 生产 (shēngchǎn - production) and 经济 (jīngjì - economy). Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe various scenarios, enhancing their vocabulary about work and efficiency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 效率 (xiàolǜ) with 效果 (xiàoguǒ - effect/result), leading to incorrect phrases like '工作的效果要好' instead of '工作的效率要好' (the efficiency of work should be good). Remember, 效率 focuses on the process and productivity, not just the outcome.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 效率

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Component characters

效xiàoto imitate
HSK 410 strokes攵
View full entry
率lǜto lead
HSK 611 strokes玄
View full entry

How to say efficiency in Chinese

“efficiency” in Chinese is效率xiàolǜ

效率 (xiàolǜ) refers to the effectiveness of a process or action in achieving a desired outcome, often used in contexts such as work productivity and resource management. It emphasizes the relationship between input and output, indicating how well resources are utilized. Commonly, this term is used in business, education, and personal productivity discussions.

When to use 效率

Be cautious of the tone for 效率, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. This term is typically used in formal settings, especially in business contexts. Common collocations include '提高效率' (tígāo xiàolǜ - improve efficiency) and '工作效率' (gōngzuò xiàolǜ - work efficiency).

效率 or something close to it

效能 (xiàonéng) refers to the effectiveness or capability of a system or process in producing a specific result, focusing more on the functional aspect rather than the input-output ratio that 效率 emphasizes.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 效率 (xiàolǜ) with 效果 (xiàoguǒ - effect/result), leading to incorrect phrases like '工作的效果要好' instead of '工作的效率要好' (the efficiency of work should be good). Remember, 效率 focuses on the process and productivity, not just the outcome.

Write 效率

效
率

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

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Grammar patterns of 效率

效率 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

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

公司决定缩减开支并提高____。

The company decided to reduce expenses and improve efficiency.

Example sentences for 效率 (10)

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1
我工作非常有效率,处事果断,而且判断准确。

wǒ gōngzuò fēicháng yǒuxiào lǜ, chǔshì guǒduàn, érqiě pànduàn zhǔnquè。

I work very efficiently and am decisive, and accurate in my judgement.
2
总之,易货贸易是一种效率很低的交易形式。

zǒngzhī, yì huò màoyì shì yī zhǒng xiàolǜ hěn dī de jiāoyì xíngshì。

Overall, barter is a very inefficient means of organizing transactions.
3
他经营那家工厂很有效率却不事张扬。

tā jīngyíng nà jiā gōngchǎng hěn yǒuxiào lǜ què bù shì zhāngyáng。

He managed the factory with unobtrusive efficiency.
4
分配制部分地体现了经济学家对效率的关心.

fēnpèi zhì bùfen dì tǐxiàn le jīngjì xué jiā duì xiàolǜ de guānxīn.

In part, the system of allocations embodies the efficiency concerns of economists.
5
一台声音更小、效率更高的发动机

yī tái shēngyīn gèng xiǎo、 xiàolǜ gèng gāo de fādòng Jī

a quieter, more efficient engine
6
玛莎工作效率高,你也受到了一些影响.

mǎ shā gōngzuò xiàolǜ gāo, nǐ yě shòudào le yìxiē yǐngxiǎng.

Some of Martha's efficiency has rubbed off on you.
7
她是个效率很高的编辑.

tā shì gè xiàolǜ hěn gāo de biānjí.

She is an editorial powerhouse.
8
管理人员中办事效率不高的被清除了出去.

guǎnlǐ rényuán zhōng bànshì xiàolǜ bù gāo de bèi qīngchú le chūqù.

Inefficient personnel were cleaned out of the management.
9
我独自一人工作效率更高.

wǒ dúzì yī réngōng zuō xiàolǜ gèng gāo.

I work more efficiently on my own.
10
能源价格一直维持低水平,所以能源利用效率很低。

néngyuán jiàgé yìzhí wéichí dī shuǐpíng, suǒyǐ néngyuán lìyòng xiàolǜ hěn dī。

Energy prices have been kept low, so energy is used inefficiently.

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Frequently asked questions about 效率

You can say: '我们需要提高工作效率。' (We need to improve work efficiency.)

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