Meanings of 服
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Podcast: 服
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AI Study Notes for 服
穿 (chuān) - use 服 (fú) when emphasizing service or obedience, while 穿 (chuān) strictly refers to the action of wearing clothing.
Be cautious with the tonal pronunciation of '服' (fú) as it is pronounced with a rising tone in Taiwan (fu2) which could lead to confusion. Common collocations include '服装' (fúzhuāng) for clothing and '服从' (fúcóng) meaning to obey. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts without additional qualifiers.
Although 服 is not directly listed in the HSK levels, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to clothing (like 衣服 yīfú) and obedience (like服从 fúcóng). Students should focus on its versatile meanings, especially in different contexts such as fashion and service.
Learners often confuse 服 (fú) with similar sounding characters like 付 (fù), which means 'to pay.' For instance, saying '我付这件衣服' (Wǒ fù zhè jiàn yīfú) instead of '我穿这件衣服' (Wǒ chuān zhè jiàn yīfú) would be incorrect, as it mixes up paying for clothes instead of wearing them.
Pronunciation of 服
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Etymology of 服
Pictograph of a person being served a plate.
A person 卩 putting on 又 a coat 月
Origin
What kind of character is 服?
Decomposition of 服
Parts
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How to say clothes in Chinese
“clothes” in Chinese is服
The character 服 (fú) primarily means 'to wear' or 'to serve.' It is commonly used in contexts related to clothing, such as garments and dress, as well as in expressions of obedience or service, indicating a sense of submission or compliance. Additionally, it can refer to taking medicine, emphasizing the action of consuming or utilizing certain substances for health.
When to use 服
Be cautious with the tonal pronunciation of '服' (fú) as it is pronounced with a rising tone in Taiwan (fu2) which could lead to confusion. Common collocations include '服装' (fúzhuāng) for clothing and '服从' (fúcóng) meaning to obey. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts without additional qualifiers.
服 or something close to it
穿 (chuān) - use 服 (fú) when emphasizing service or obedience, while 穿 (chuān) strictly refers to the action of wearing clothing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 服 (fú) with similar sounding characters like 付 (fù), which means 'to pay.' For instance, saying '我付这件衣服' (Wǒ fù zhè jiàn yīfú) instead of '我穿这件衣服' (Wǒ chuān zhè jiàn yīfú) would be incorrect, as it mixes up paying for clothes instead of wearing them.
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Grammar Patterns of 服
服 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 15 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
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你的衣____很好看。
Your clothes look great.
Example Sentences for 服 (10)
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Word Family of 服
Characters with 服
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Frequently Asked Questions about 服
服 can mean to wear clothes, to serve, or to take medicine, depending on the context.
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