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March 24, 2026
生物shēngwù(sheng1wu4)
生物 (shēngwù) refers to any living organism, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is commonly used in biological contexts, such as science, ecology, and discussions about life forms. The term emphasizes the characteristics and existence of living entities in nature.
Strokes13Frequency#2033DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 生物 is essential in traditional medicine, where understanding living organisms, especially plants, is crucial for health practices. This reflects a deep respect for nature and its life forms in Chinese philosophy.
Memory Tip
Think of 生 (shēng) meaning 'to live' or 'life' and 物 (wù) meaning 'thing' or 'object'. Imagine a vibrant scene in nature, where everything alive (生) is interacting with various objects (物) around them, helping you remember that 生物 encompasses all living things.
Meanings of 生物
shēngwù(sheng1wu4)
1organism
2living creature
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About 生物
生物Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2033Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 生物
Podcast: 生物
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AI Study Notes for 生物
Quick Contrast
动物 (dòngwù) - use 生物 (shēngwù) for a broader category that includes all living organisms, whereas 动物 (dòngwù) specifically refers to animals.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 生 (shēng) and 物 (wù) to avoid confusion. In formal settings, use 生物 when discussing biology or life sciences, but in casual conversation, you might hear it used more broadly. Common collocations include 生物学 (biology) and 生物体 (organism).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 生物 connects with other scientific terms and concepts at this level, such as 生态 (ecology) and 进化 (evolution). Students should focus on using it in various contexts related to biology and life sciences, enhancing their vocabulary in academic discussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 生物 (shēngwù) with 生命 (shēngmìng), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我学习生命' (wǒ xuéxí shēngmìng) to mean 'I study organisms' is incorrect; it should be '我学习生物' (wǒ xuéxí shēngwù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 生物
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生物 (shēngwù) refers to any living organism, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is commonly used in biological contexts, such as science, ecology, and discussions about life forms. The term emphasizes the characteristics and existence of living entities in nature.
When to use 生物
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 生 (shēng) and 物 (wù) to avoid confusion. In formal settings, use 生物 when discussing biology or life sciences, but in casual conversation, you might hear it used more broadly. Common collocations include 生物学 (biology) and 生物体 (organism).
生物 or something close to it
动物 (dòngwù) - use 生物 (shēngwù) for a broader category that includes all living organisms, whereas 动物 (dòngwù) specifically refers to animals.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 生物 (shēngwù) with 生命 (shēngmìng), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我学习生命' (wǒ xuéxí shēngmìng) to mean 'I study organisms' is incorrect; it should be '我学习生物' (wǒ xuéxí shēngwù).
Write 生物
生
物
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Grammar Patterns of 生物
生物 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). 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.
