Meanings of 选手
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About 选手
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Podcast: 选手
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AI Study Notes for 选手
运动员 (yùndòngyuán) - use 选手 when emphasizing the competitive aspect of participation in events, while 运动员 is more general for anyone involved in sports.
Be mindful of using 选手 in contexts specifically related to competition; using it for non-competitive contexts can lead to misunderstandings. It is generally informal, so in formal contexts, you might opt for ‘运动员’ (yùn dòng yuán) instead. Additionally, remember that the tone of '选' is the third tone and '手' is also the third tone, which can be tricky.
As an HSK 6 word, 选手 connects well with other terms related to sports and competition. Focus on mastering related vocabulary such as 比赛 (bǐ sài, competition) and 运动 (yùn dòng, sports) to enhance your understanding of contexts in which 选手 is used.
Learners often confuse 选手 with 运动员 (yùn dòng yuán), which is a broader term for 'athlete.' For instance, saying '他是一个选手在篮球' (Tā shì yīgè xuǎn shǒu zài lánqiú) is incorrect; it should be '他是一名篮球选手' (Tā shì yī míng lánqiú xuǎn shǒu).
Pronunciation of 选手
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Component Characters
How to say athlete in Chinese
“athlete” in Chinese is选手
选手 (xuǎn shǒu) refers to an athlete or contestant, particularly in competitive sports or events. It is commonly used to describe individuals participating in competitions, such as races or tournaments, highlighting their role as competitors striving for victory.
When to use 选手
Be mindful of using 选手 in contexts specifically related to competition; using it for non-competitive contexts can lead to misunderstandings. It is generally informal, so in formal contexts, you might opt for ‘运动员’ (yùn dòng yuán) instead. Additionally, remember that the tone of '选' is the third tone and '手' is also the third tone, which can be tricky.
选手 or something close to it
运动员 (yùndòngyuán) - use 选手 when emphasizing the competitive aspect of participation in events, while 运动员 is more general for anyone involved in sports.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 选手 with 运动员 (yùn dòng yuán), which is a broader term for 'athlete.' For instance, saying '他是一个选手在篮球' (Tā shì yīgè xuǎn shǒu zài lánqiú) is incorrect; it should be '他是一名篮球选手' (Tā shì yī míng lánqiú xuǎn shǒu).
Write 选手
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Practice writing 选手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 选手
选手 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 2 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.
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一般来说,____参加了比赛是不能退出的。
Generally speaking, once a contestant enters a competition, they cannot withdraw.
Example Sentences for 选手 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 选手
While it primarily refers to athletes in sports contexts, it can also apply to contestants in other competitive environments, such as talent shows or academic competitions.
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