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March 24, 2026
身份shēnfèn(shen1fen4)
身份 (shēnfèn) refers to a person's identity or status within a social context. It encompasses notions of rank, dignity, and the roles one plays in society. Commonly used in discussions about social hierarchy and personal identification, it highlights the importance of how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by others.
Strokes13Frequency#1013DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, one's 身份 is often tied to family background and social connections, known as guanxi (关系), which can significantly influence personal and professional opportunities.
Memory Tip
Think of 身 (shēn) as 'body' and 份 (fèn) as 'part.' Together, they represent a 'part of the body' that defines who you are in a social context. Imagine your body wearing a badge that shows your identity and rank in society.
Meanings of 身份
shēnfèn(shen1fen4)
1identity
2status
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About 身份
身份Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1013Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 身份
Podcast: 身份
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AI Study Notes for 身份
Quick Contrast
身份 (shēnfèn) vs 地位 (dìwèi): use 身份 when emphasizing personal identity or social roles, while 地位 focuses more on social rank or status.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the contexts in which you use 身份; it's often used in formal discussions about social issues or legal contexts. A common mistake is confusing 身份 with 个人 (gèrén), which means 'individual' or 'personal.' Remember, 身份 is more about social status than personal identity.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 身份 connects well with other vocabulary related to social structures and roles, such as 社会 (shèhuì, society) and 职业 (zhíyè, profession). Focus on using 身份 in sentences that describe roles within a community or organization.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 身份 with 身体 (shēntǐ), which means 'body.' For example, saying '我的身体很高' (wǒ de shēntǐ hěn gāo) to describe one's status is incorrect; it should be '我的身份很高' (wǒ de shēnfèn hěn gāo) to correctly convey the idea of having a high social status.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 身份
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身份 (shēnfèn) refers to a person's identity or status within a social context. It encompasses notions of rank, dignity, and the roles one plays in society. Commonly used in discussions about social hierarchy and personal identification, it highlights the importance of how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by others.
When to use 身份
Be mindful of the contexts in which you use 身份; it's often used in formal discussions about social issues or legal contexts. A common mistake is confusing 身份 with 个人 (gèrén), which means 'individual' or 'personal.' Remember, 身份 is more about social status than personal identity.
身份 or something close to it
身份 (shēnfèn) vs 地位 (dìwèi): use 身份 when emphasizing personal identity or social roles, while 地位 focuses more on social rank or status.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 身份 with 身体 (shēntǐ), which means 'body.' For example, saying '我的身体很高' (wǒ de shēntǐ hěn gāo) to describe one's status is incorrect; it should be '我的身份很高' (wǒ de shēnfèn hěn gāo) to correctly convey the idea of having a high social status.
Write 身份
身
份
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Grammar Patterns of 身份
身份 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 6 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.
