Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
阐述(闡述)chǎnshù(chan3shu4)
阐述 (chǎnshù) means to expound, elaborate, or treat a subject in detail. It is commonly used in academic and formal contexts where a comprehensive explanation or argument is required, often in writing or speeches. This term emphasizes clarity and thoroughness in presenting one's ideas.
Strokes19Frequency#16177DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese academia, the ability to 阐述 one's thoughts clearly is highly valued. This term is often encountered in research papers and formal discussions, reflecting the importance placed on articulate expression in scholarly contexts.
Memory Tip
Think of 阐 (chǎn) as 'chanting' your ideas out loud to clarify them, while 述 (shù) is like 'shooting' out detailed explanations. Imagine a speaker chanting their well-structured arguments in front of an audience, ensuring every point is shot down clearly.
Meanings of 阐述
chǎnshù(chan3shu4)
1to expound (a position)
2to elaborate (on a topic)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 阐述 means.
About 阐述
阐述Simplified
闡述Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16177Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 阐述
Podcast: 阐述
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 阐述
Quick Contrast
阐明 (chǎnmíng) vs 阐述 (chǎnshù): Use 阐述 when you need to provide a detailed explanation, while 阐明 focuses more on clarifying or making something clear without the same depth.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 阐述 with similar verbs like 说明 (shuōmíng), which is more about stating or explaining without the depth that 阐述 implies. It's commonly used in formal writing, such as essays or reports, so it may not be appropriate for casual conversation. Pay attention to the tone, as using 阐述 in the wrong context can sound overly formal.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 阐述 connects with other advanced vocabulary that deals with academic or formal discourse. Focus on using it in writing assignments or presentations to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 阐述 with 解释 (jiěshì), which means 'to explain' but doesn't carry the same depth of elaboration. For example, saying '我想阐述这个问题' (I want to explain this issue) is incorrect; it should be '我想阐述这个主题'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阐述
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 阐述 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 阐述 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 阐述?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 阐述 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.
阐述 (chǎnshù) means to expound, elaborate, or treat a subject in detail. It is commonly used in academic and formal contexts where a comprehensive explanation or argument is required, often in writing or speeches. This term emphasizes clarity and thoroughness in presenting one's ideas.
When to use 阐述
Be careful not to confuse 阐述 with similar verbs like 说明 (shuōmíng), which is more about stating or explaining without the depth that 阐述 implies. It's commonly used in formal writing, such as essays or reports, so it may not be appropriate for casual conversation. Pay attention to the tone, as using 阐述 in the wrong context can sound overly formal.
阐述 or something close to it
阐明 (chǎnmíng) vs 阐述 (chǎnshù): Use 阐述 when you need to provide a detailed explanation, while 阐明 focuses more on clarifying or making something clear without the same depth.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 阐述 with 解释 (jiěshì), which means 'to explain' but doesn't carry the same depth of elaboration. For example, saying '我想阐述这个问题' (I want to explain this issue) is incorrect; it should be '我想阐述这个主题'.
Write 阐述
阐
述
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 阐述 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 阐述
阐述 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 3 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.
他接受采访时____了持乐观态度的理由。
In the interview he gave some grounds for optimism.
Example Sentences for 阐述 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他接受采访时阐述了持乐观态度的理由。
tā jiē shòu cǎi fǎng shí chǎn shù le chí lè guān tài dù de lǐ yóu。
In the interview he gave some grounds for optimism.
2
他在大会发言中作了更进一步的阐述。
tā zài dà huì fā yán zhōng zuò le gēng jìn yī bù de chǎn shù。
He went even further in his speech to the conference.
3
梅西伯夫博士阐述了他的教学方法的基础。
méi xī bó fū bó shì chǎn shù le tā de jiào xué fāng fǎ de jī chǔ。
Dr. Mesibov set forth the basis of his approach to teaching students.
4
泰勒的阐述是建立在我们叫作有限差分的基础上的.
tài lè de chǎn shù shì jiàn lì zài wǒ mén jiào zuò yǒu xiàn chà fēn de jī chǔ shàng de.
Taylor's exposition based on what we would call finite differences.
