Meanings of 出身
By ear
Play it, then pick what 出身 means.
About 出身
Podcast: 出身
Podcast: 出身
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 出身
出生 (chūshēng) refers specifically to the act of being born, while 出身 (chūshēn) emphasizes one's social background or origin after birth.
Learners often confuse 出身 with similar terms like 背景 (bèijǐng, background). While 背景 can refer to various aspects of one's life, 出身 specifically emphasizes familial and social origin. It's typically used in more formal contexts, so be mindful of your tone when discussing someone's background.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 出身 connects well with other terms related to social dynamics and family in Chinese. Focus on using it in sentences that relate to discussions of identity or class to strengthen your contextual understanding.
Learners often misuse 出身 in casual conversations, where 背景 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想了解他的出身' (wǒ xiǎng liǎojiě tā de chūshēn) in a casual setting may sound too formal; use '背景' instead.
Pronunciation of 出身
Drill the tone of 出身 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 出身 to You
Let me explain 出身 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 出身 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 出身?
Learning Lab
Knowing 出身 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
Component Characters
How to say to be born of in Chinese
“to be born of” in Chinese is出身
出身 (chūshēn) refers to one's family background or social origin. It is commonly used in discussions about a person's upbringing, class, or heritage, particularly in contexts related to social status or opportunities in life.
When to use 出身
Learners often confuse 出身 with similar terms like 背景 (bèijǐng, background). While 背景 can refer to various aspects of one's life, 出身 specifically emphasizes familial and social origin. It's typically used in more formal contexts, so be mindful of your tone when discussing someone's background.
出身 or something close to it
出生 (chūshēng) refers specifically to the act of being born, while 出身 (chūshēn) emphasizes one's social background or origin after birth.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 出身 in casual conversations, where 背景 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想了解他的出身' (wǒ xiǎng liǎojiě tā de chūshēn) in a casual setting may sound too formal; use '背景' instead.
Write 出身
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 出身 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 出身
出身 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 4 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
蒙博托____行伍,通过一级级晋升,最终成为了陆军司令。
Mobutu ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming commander of the army.
Example Sentences for 出身 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 出身?
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.
Cultural Notes for 出身
While in Western cultures, individual merit often overshadows family background, in China, 出身 remains a crucial factor in assessing a person's social standing.
Frequently Asked Questions about 出身
No, 出身 specifically refers to family background or social origin, while 教育背景 (jiàoyù bèijǐng) is used for educational background.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 出身?
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.