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青少年 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
青少年qīngshàoniánadolescentHSK 2, nr, 18 strokes, rank #4532, Easy
青少年qīngshàoniányouthHSK 2, nr, 18 strokes, rank #4532, Easy
青少年qīngshàoniánteenagerHSK 2, nr, 18 strokes, rank #4532, Easy
qīngshàonián(qing1shao4nian2)qing shao nian T1
  1. 1adolescent
  2. 2youth
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March 24, 2026

青少年qīngshàonián(qing1shao4nian2)

青少年 refers to adolescents or teenagers, typically encompassing individuals aged between 13 and 19 years old. This term is commonly used in discussions about youth culture, education, and social issues relevant to this age group.

Strokes18Frequency#4532DifficultyEasy
Cultural note

In China, 青少年 are often seen as the future of the nation, and there are specific educational programs and policies aimed at addressing their needs, reflecting the culture's emphasis on youth development.

Memory tip

Imagine a vibrant green (青) field where young people (少年) are playing and growing. The color green evokes youth and vitality, helping you remember both the sound (qīng) and meaning of the character.

Meanings of 青少年

qīngshàonián(qing1shao4nian2)
1adolescent
2youth
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 青少年

青少年Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4532Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 青少年

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Podcast: 青少年

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AI study notes for 青少年

Quick Contrast

青少年 (adolescents) vs 青年 (youth) — use 青少年 when specifically referring to teenagers aged 13-19, while 青年 can refer to young adults more broadly.

Usage Notes

When using 青少年, be mindful of the context; it is more formal than casual terms like 'teenager' in English. It's often used in discussions about policies or programs aimed at this age group. A common collocation is '青少年教育' (youth education).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 青少年 connects with other terms related to age and development. Focus on its components and usage in contexts like education and societal roles to enhance your vocabulary at this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 青少年 with 小孩 (children). For example, saying '我喜欢青少年' to mean 'I like children' is incorrect; instead, use '我喜欢小孩'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 青少年

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Component characters

青qīnggreen or blue
HSK 58 strokes青
View full entry
少shǎofew
HSK 14 strokes小
View full entry
年niányear
HSK 16 strokes干
View full entry

How to say adolescent in Chinese

“adolescent” in Chinese is青少年qīngshàonián

青少年 refers to adolescents or teenagers, typically encompassing individuals aged between 13 and 19 years old. This term is commonly used in discussions about youth culture, education, and social issues relevant to this age group.

When to use 青少年

When using 青少年, be mindful of the context; it is more formal than casual terms like 'teenager' in English. It's often used in discussions about policies or programs aimed at this age group. A common collocation is '青少年教育' (youth education).

青少年 or something close to it

青少年 (adolescents) vs 青年 (youth) — use 青少年 when specifically referring to teenagers aged 13-19, while 青年 can refer to young adults more broadly.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 青少年 with 小孩 (children). For example, saying '我喜欢青少年' to mean 'I like children' is incorrect; instead, use '我喜欢小孩'.

Write 青少年

青
少
年

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Grammar patterns of 青少年

青少年 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 3 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

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他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁____。

Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.

Example sentences for 青少年 (10)

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1
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。

tāmen de xiūxián fú xìliè miáozhǔn de shì zhuīqiú shímáo de13 dào25 suì qīngshàonián。

Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
2
我认为你在南美度过的青少年时代让你产生了偏见。

wǒ rènwéi nǐ zài nán měi dùguò de qīngshàonián shídài ràng nǐ chǎnshēng le piānjiàn。

I think your South American youth has prejudiced you.
3
在对待有自杀倾向的青少年时，我们的目标应当很明确。

zài duìdài yǒu zìshā qīngxiàng de qīngshàonián shí， wǒmen de mùbiāo yīngdāng hěn míngquè。

In dealing with suicidal youngsters, our aims should be clear.
4
青少年自杀很少是由于突然发生不幸而作出的冲动反应。

qīngshàonián zìshā hěnshǎo shì yóuyú tūrán fāshēng búxìng ér zuòchū de chōngdòng fǎnyìng。

Adolescent suicide is rarely an impulsive reaction to immediate distress.
5
他看起来不像是青少年偶像，而更像个股票经纪人。

tā kànqǐlai bù xiàng shì qīngshàonián ǒuxiàng， ér gèng xiàng gè gǔpiào Jīng Jǐ rén。

He looks more like a stockbroker than a teen idol.
6
他在教堂的乐队里弹吉他，度过了他的青少年时期。

tā zài jiàotáng de yuèduì lǐ tánjítā， dùguò le tā de qīngshàonián shíqī。

He spent his adolescent years playing guitar in the church band.
7
青少年在和自己小圈子里的好友呆在一起时最为开心。

qīngshàonián zài hé zìjǐ xiǎo quānzi lǐ de hǎoyǒu dāi zài yìqǐ shí zuì wèi kāixīn。

Young adolescents are happiest with small groups of close friends.
8
未到法定年龄的青少年可以从年龄较大的朋友那里弄到酒。

wèi dào fǎdìng niánlíng de qīngshàonián kěyǐ cóng niánlíng jiào dà de péngyou nàlǐ nòng dào jiǔ。

Underage youths can obtain alcohol from their older friends.
9
我从小就爱马，曾是一名青少年马术障碍赛选手。

wǒ cóngxiǎo jiù ài mǎ， céng shì yī míng qīngshàonián mǎ shù zhàng’ài sài xuǎnshǒu。

I loved horses as a child and was a junior show jumper.
10
一些青少年可能相比同龄人在性方面更成熟、更具挑逗性。

yìxiē qīngshàonián kěnéng xiāngbǐ tóng líng rén zài xìng fāngmiàn gèng chéngshú、 gèng jù tiāo dòu xìng。

Some adolescents might be more sexually mature and provocative than others.

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Frequently asked questions about 青少年

青少年 generally refers to individuals aged 13 to 19 years.

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