Meanings of 陌生
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About 陌生
Podcast: 陌生
Podcast: 陌生
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AI Study Notes for 陌生
生疏 (shēngshū) - use 陌生 for unfamiliarity in people or environments, while 生疏 emphasizes lack of familiarity or skill.
Be cautious not to confuse 陌生 with 生疏 (shēngshū), which also means unfamiliar but implies a loss of familiarity over time. 陌生 is more about immediate unfamiliarity, while 生疏 suggests a past connection. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 陌生 connects with other words describing experiences or feelings, such as 熟悉 (shúxī, familiar). Focus on using it in sentences describing new experiences or environments to solidify understanding.
Learners often confuse 陌生 with the word 生疏, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我对这个城市生疏' (wǒ duì zhège chéngshì shēngshū) is incorrect; instead, use '我对这个城市陌生'.
Pronunciation of 陌生
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Jason Explains 陌生 to You
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Knowing 陌生 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component Characters
How to say strange in Chinese
“strange” in Chinese is陌生
The word 陌生 (mòshēng) refers to something or someone that is unfamiliar or strange. It is commonly used to express feelings of being in an unfamiliar environment or encountering people you do not know, often evoking a sense of discomfort or curiosity.
When to use 陌生
Be cautious not to confuse 陌生 with 生疏 (shēngshū), which also means unfamiliar but implies a loss of familiarity over time. 陌生 is more about immediate unfamiliarity, while 生疏 suggests a past connection. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
陌生 or something close to it
生疏 (shēngshū) - use 陌生 for unfamiliarity in people or environments, while 生疏 emphasizes lack of familiarity or skill.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 陌生 with the word 生疏, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我对这个城市生疏' (wǒ duì zhège chéngshì shēngshū) is incorrect; instead, use '我对这个城市陌生'.
Write 陌生
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Practice writing 陌生 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 陌生
陌生 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 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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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
患有社交恐惧症的人一想到要见____人就发抖。
Social phobics quake at the thought of meeting strangers.
Example Sentences for 陌生 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 陌生
While 见面 means 'to meet' or 'to see someone', 陌生 emphasizes the idea of not knowing that person or being in an unfamiliar situation.
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