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特长 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
特长tèchángpersonal strengthHSK 6, n, 14 strokes, rank #10697, Hard
特长tèchángone's special ability or strong pointsHSK 6, n, 14 strokes, rank #10697, Hard
tècháng(te4chang2) T4
  1. 1personal strength
  2. 2one's special ability or strong points
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March 24, 2026

特长(特長)tècháng(te4chang2)

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.

Strokes14Frequency#10697DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, identifying and promoting one’s 特长 is crucial for educational and professional advancement. It reflects the value placed on personal development and the importance of showcasing unique abilities in competitive environments.

Memory Tip

Think of 特 (te4) as 'special' and 长 (chang2) as 'long' or 'lasting'. Imagine a long-lasting talent that stands out – your unique skill that others admire. Visualize a trophy (特) that symbolizes your special ability (长) that you proudly display.

Meanings of 特长

tècháng(te4chang2)
1personal strength
2one's special ability or strong points
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 特长

特长Simplified
特長Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10697Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 特长

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Podcast: 特长

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AI Study Notes for 特长

Quick Contrast

专长 (zhuāncháng) - use 特长 for a broader range of personal strengths, while 专长 emphasizes a specific area of expertise.

Usage Notes

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.

HSK Study Tips

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).

Common Mistakes

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.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 特长

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Component Characters

特tèspecial
HSK 610 strokes牛
View full entry
长chánglength
HSK 24 strokes长
View full entry

How to say personal strength in Chinese

“personal strength” in Chinese is特长tècháng

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

特
长

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

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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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

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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1
他们完全是凭体育特长才获得了大学奖学金。

tā mén wán quán shì píng tǐ yù tè cháng cái huò dé le dà xué jiǎng xué jīn。

They have been given college scholarships purely on athletic ability.

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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