Meanings of 特长
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About 特长
Podcast: 特长
Podcast: 特长
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AI Study Notes for 特长
专长 (zhuāncháng) - use 特长 for a broader range of personal strengths, while 专长 emphasizes a specific area of expertise.
Be mindful of the context when using 特长; it is more appropriate in formal or semi-formal situations. Common collocations include 特长班 (specialty class) or 特长生 (student with special abilities). Avoid confusion with the more generic term 能力 (ability), which doesn’t emphasize uniqueness.
As an HSK 6 word, 特长 connects with other vocabulary related to personal attributes and skills. Focus on using it in sentences that describe strengths, and practice differentiating it from similar terms like 强项 (strong point).
Learners often confuse 特长 with 职业技能 (professional skills), which refers to job-related abilities. For instance, saying '我的职业特长是管理' (My professional specialty is management) is incorrect; it should focus on unique personal skills.
Pronunciation of 特长
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Jason Explains 特长 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 特长 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 personal strength in Chinese
“personal strength” in Chinese is特长
特长 refers to a personal strength or special ability that someone possesses. It is commonly used in contexts such as job applications, personal introductions, or educational settings to highlight an individual's unique skills or talents.
When to use 特长
Be mindful of the context when using 特长; it is more appropriate in formal or semi-formal situations. Common collocations include 特长班 (specialty class) or 特长生 (student with special abilities). Avoid confusion with the more generic term 能力 (ability), which doesn’t emphasize uniqueness.
特长 or something close to it
专长 (zhuāncháng) - use 特长 for a broader range of personal strengths, while 专长 emphasizes a specific area of expertise.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 特长 with 职业技能 (professional skills), which refers to job-related abilities. For instance, saying '我的职业特长是管理' (My professional specialty is management) is incorrect; it should focus on unique personal skills.
Write 特长
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Practice writing 特长 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 特长
特长 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他们完全是凭体育____才获得了大学奖学金。
They have been given college scholarships purely on athletic ability.
Example Sentences for 特长 (1)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 特长
You can say, '我的特长是音乐和绘画' (My special abilities are music and painting).
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