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称赞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
称赞chēngzànto praiseHSK 5, v, 26 strokes, rank #8533, Hard
称赞chēngzànto acclaimHSK 5, v, 26 strokes, rank #8533, Hard
称赞chēngzànto commendHSK 5, v, 26 strokes, rank #8533, Hard
称赞chēngzànto complimentHSK 5, v, 26 strokes, rank #8533, Hard
chēngzàn(cheng1zan4)cheng zan T1
  1. 1to praise
  2. 2to acclaim
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March 24, 2026

称赞(稱讚)chēngzàn(cheng1zan4)

称赞 (chēngzàn) means to express approval or admiration for someone or something. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, often in relation to achievements, qualities, or actions that are considered commendable.

Strokes26Frequency#8533DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, giving praise is considered important for building harmonious relationships and encouraging positive behaviors, especially in educational and professional contexts. Public praise can significantly boost morale.

Memory tip

Think of 称 (chēng) as 'to weigh' and 赞 (zàn) as 'to praise'. Imagine weighing the good qualities of a person before praising them. The character 称 resembles a scale, and 赞 has a flowing form that suggests words of praise flowing out.

Meanings of 称赞

chēngzàn(cheng1zan4)
1to praise
2to acclaim
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 称赞

称赞Simplified
稱讚Traditional
26Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8533Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 称赞

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Podcast: 称赞

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AI study notes for 称赞

Quick Contrast

表扬 (biǎoyáng) vs 称赞 (chēngzàn): Use 称赞 for general admiration, while 表扬 is more formal and often used in official contexts like praising a student or employee.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 称赞 with other words for praise, like 夸奖 (kuājiǎng), which can imply flattery. It's generally used in both formal and informal settings, but ensure you match the tone to your audience. Common collocations include 称赞某人 (to praise someone) and 称赞作品 (to praise a work).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 称赞 connects well with other HSK 5 terms related to communication and emotions, such as 表达 (biǎodá - to express) and 赞同 (zàntóng - to agree). Focus on using it in sentences to enhance your conversational skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 称赞 by pairing it with negative contexts, thinking it can imply criticism. For instance, saying '我称赞他的错误' (I praise his mistakes) is incorrect; instead, one should use '我批评他的错误' (I criticize his mistakes).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 称赞

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Component characters

称chènto fit
HSK 510 strokes禾
View full entry
赞zànto praise
HSK 416 strokes贝
View full entry

How to say to praise in Chinese

“to praise” in Chinese is称赞chēngzàn

称赞 (chēngzàn) means to express approval or admiration for someone or something. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, often in relation to achievements, qualities, or actions that are considered commendable.

When to use 称赞

Be careful not to confuse 称赞 with other words for praise, like 夸奖 (kuājiǎng), which can imply flattery. It's generally used in both formal and informal settings, but ensure you match the tone to your audience. Common collocations include 称赞某人 (to praise someone) and 称赞作品 (to praise a work).

称赞 or something close to it

表扬 (biǎoyáng) vs 称赞 (chēngzàn): Use 称赞 for general admiration, while 表扬 is more formal and often used in official contexts like praising a student or employee.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 称赞 by pairing it with negative contexts, thinking it can imply criticism. For instance, saying '我称赞他的错误' (I praise his mistakes) is incorrect; instead, one should use '我批评他的错误' (I criticize his mistakes).

Write 称赞

称
赞

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Grammar patterns of 称赞

称赞 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

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双方的有识之士都会____这本书。

Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.

Example sentences for 称赞 (10)

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1
双方的有识之士都会称赞这本书。

shuāngfāng de yǒu shí zhī shì dūhuì chēngzàn zhè běn shū。

Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.
2
他的礼物是很友好的表示,这值得称赞。

tā de lǐwù shì hěn yǒuhǎo de biǎoshì, zhè zhídé chēngzàn。

His gift was an extremely kind gesture. Credit where credit's due.
3
他称赞了她在反种族隔离制的斗争中发挥的重要作用。

tā chēngzàn le tā zài fǎn zhǒngzú gélí zhì de dòuzhēng zhōng fāhuī de zhòngyào zuòyòng。

He praised her role in the struggle against apartheid.
4
布拉特巴克比媒体称赞的要有才华。

bù lā tè Bā kè bǐ méitǐ chēngzàn de yào yǒu cáihuá。

Bratbakk had more ability than the media gave him credit for.
5
你是个好女孩儿,莱蒂,你的善良值得称赞。

nǐ shì gè hǎo nǚháir, lái dì, nǐ de shànliáng zhídé chēngzàn。

You're a nice girl, Lettie, and your kind heart does you credit.
6
这项研究工作毫无瑕疵,怎样称赞都不过分。

zhè xiàng yánjiū gōngzuò háowú xiácī, zěnyàng chēngzàn dōu búguò fēn。

It is difficult to praise this immaculately researched work too highly.
7
我们经常听人称赞我们的露台非常干净。

wǒmen jīngcháng tīng rén chēngzàn wǒmen de lòu tái fēicháng gānjìng。

We often get complimentary remarks regarding the cleanliness of our patio.
8
这一表态称赞了过去一年的变革。

zhè yī biǎotài chēngzàn le guòqù yī nián de biàngé。

The statement salutes the changes of the past year.
9
“房子真不错,”我称赞道,听上去毫无信服力。

“ fángzi zhēn búcuò,” wǒ chēngzàn dào, tīng shàngqù háowú xìn fú lì。

"Lovely house," I said lamely.
10
他对知识的渴应该受到称赞.

tā duì zhīshi de kě yīnggāi shòudào chēngzàn.

His anxiety for knowledge is to be praised.

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Frequently asked questions about 称赞

Yes, 称赞 is appropriate in business settings, especially when recognizing a colleague's achievements.

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