Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
一流 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一流yīliútop qualityHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, rank #5200, Hard
一流yīliúfront rankingHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, rank #5200, Hard
yīliú(yi1liu2)yi liu T1
  1. 1top quality
  2. 2front ranking
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

一流yīliú(yi1liu2)

一流 (yī liú) refers to something of the highest quality or standard, often used to describe top-tier services, products, or individuals. It conveys excellence and superiority in a competitive context, such as in business or education.

Strokes11Frequency#5200DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of 一流 is tied to the Chinese cultural emphasis on excellence and hard work, especially in education and business. Achieving a 一流 status is often a goal for many companies and institutions in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a first-rate 'one flow' of water, perfectly clear and sparkling. The character 一 (yī) represents 'one,' and 流 (liú) means 'flow,' suggesting that this is the top flow, the best among all.

Meanings of 一流

yīliú(yi1liu2)
1top quality
2front ranking
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 一流 means.

About 一流

一流Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#5200Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 一流

JasonAmy

Podcast: 一流

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 一流

Quick Contrast

一流 (yīliú) vs 顶级 (dǐngjí) — use 一流 for general excellence in various contexts, while 顶级 specifically emphasizes the highest tier or level in a competitive ranking.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 一流 with similar terms like 二流 (èr liú), which means second-rate. It's typically used in formal contexts, such as in business presentations or academic evaluations. Common collocations include 一流的服务 (yī liú de fúwù) for 'first-class service.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 一流 connects well with other terms related to quality and ranking, such as 优秀 (yōuxiù, outstanding) or 顶尖 (dǐngjiān, top-notch). Focus on using it in contrast with other quality descriptors to enhance your vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 一流 incorrectly with negative contexts, such as saying 一流的失败 (yī liú de shībài) which translates to 'top-quality failure.' The correct term for a failure would not be paired with 一流.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一流

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 一流 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 一流 to You

Let me explain 一流 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 一流 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 一流?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 一流 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
流liúto flow
HSK 410 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say top quality in Chinese

“top quality” in Chinese is一流yīliú

一流 (yī liú) refers to something of the highest quality or standard, often used to describe top-tier services, products, or individuals. It conveys excellence and superiority in a competitive context, such as in business or education.

When to use 一流

Be careful not to confuse 一流 with similar terms like 二流 (èr liú), which means second-rate. It's typically used in formal contexts, such as in business presentations or academic evaluations. Common collocations include 一流的服务 (yī liú de fúwù) for 'first-class service.'

一流 or something close to it

一流 (yīliú) vs 顶级 (dǐngjí) — use 一流 for general excellence in various contexts, while 顶级 specifically emphasizes the highest tier or level in a competitive ranking.

What learners get wrong

Learners often use 一流 incorrectly with negative contexts, such as saying 一流的失败 (yī liú de shībài) which translates to 'top-quality failure.' The correct term for a failure would not be paired with 一流.

Write 一流

一
流

Practice writing 一流 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 一流

一流 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这辆自行车品质____,外观漂亮,有一些细节之处与众不同。

The bike has style, it has looks, it has its little idiosyncrasies.

Example Sentences for 一流 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这辆自行车品质一流,外观漂亮,有一些细节之处与众不同。

zhè liàng zì háng chē pǐn zhì yī liú, , wài guān piāo, liàng , yǒu yī xiē xì jié zhī chǔ yǔ zhòng。

The bike has style, it has looks, it has its little idiosyncrasies.
2
有5名一流的战斗机飞行员被俘,并被在媒体上曝光。

yǒu5 5 míng yī liú de zhàn dǒu jī fēi háng yuán bèi, fú , bìng bèi zài méi tǐ shàng。

Five leading fighter pilots have been captured and paraded before the media.
3
你不得不佩服她那一流的绘画水平。

nǐ bù dé bù pèi fú tā nà yī liú de huì huà shuǐ píng。

You have to admire her superb draughtsmanship.
4
他的新角色会确保他跻身我们的一流演员之列。

tā de xīn jiǎo sè huì què bǎo tā jī shēn wǒ mén de yī liú yǎn yuán zhī liè。

His new role could confirm him as one of our leading actors.
5
我们因提供的服务水准一流一直经营得很成功。

wǒ mén yīn tí gōng de fú wù shuǐ zhǔn yī liú yī zhí jīng yíng dé hěn chéng gōng。

We have been successful because we are offering a quality service.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 一流?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 一流

Yes, 一流 can describe individuals, especially in professional contexts, indicating that someone is top-notch in their field.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 一流?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab