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March 24, 2026
草率cǎoshuài(cao3shuai4)
草率 (cǎo shuài) refers to an attitude or approach that is careless, negligent, or done in a hasty manner without thorough consideration. It is often used in contexts where attention to detail is essential, such as in work or study, and emphasizes a lack of seriousness in handling tasks.
Strokes20Frequency#9803DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese work culture, being 草率 can significantly affect one's reputation, as diligence and attention to detail are highly valued. Careless work may not only impact individual performance but can also reflect poorly on the entire team.
Memory Tip
Imagine a field of grass (草) where a person is rushing through it (率), tripping over the weeds because they are not paying attention. This chaotic scene represents being careless and sloppy, which connects to the meaning of 草率.
Meanings of 草率
cǎoshuài(cao3shuai4)
1careless
2negligent
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 草率
草率Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#9803Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 草率
Podcast: 草率
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AI Study Notes for 草率
Quick Contrast
粗心 (cūxīn) - use 草率 (cǎoshuài) for actions done hastily without care, while 粗心 (cūxīn) emphasizes a lack of attentiveness or care in detail.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a field of grass (草) where a person is rushing through it (率), tripping over the weeds because they are not paying attention. This chaotic scene represents being careless and sloppy, which connects to the meaning of 草率.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 草率 with related words like 认真 (rèn zhēn), which means serious or diligent. It is generally used in a negative context, so avoid using it in formal settings when discussing someone's work unless it's constructive criticism. A common collocation is '草率的工作' (careless work).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 草率 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to work and attitudes. Students should focus on using this word in sentences that describe work quality or personal traits, as well as understanding its nuances in formal versus informal discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese work culture, being 草率 can significantly affect one's reputation, as diligence and attention to detail are highly valued. Careless work may not only impact individual performance but can also reflect poorly on the entire team.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 草率 when they mean 'careful,' resulting in sentences like '他的工作很草率' (His work is very careful), which is incorrect. Instead, they should use 认真 to describe careful work.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 草率
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Grammar Patterns of 草率
草率 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
我认为餐馆提出那样的建议太____了。
I think it's premature for restaurants to come out with that advice.
Example Sentences for 草率 (10)
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1
我认为餐馆提出那样的建议太草率了。
wǒ rèn wéi cān guǎn tí chū nà yàng de jiàn yì tài cǎo shuài le。
I think it's premature for restaurants to come out with that advice.
2
看到这么草率马虎的产品,真叫我厌恶.
kàn dào zhè mó cǎo shuài mǎ hǔ de chǎn pǐn, , zhēn jiào wǒ yàn.
The law could arrest the development of good research if applied prematurely.
4
她放弃这份工作似嫌太草率.
tā fàng qì zhè fèn gōng zuò sì xián tài cǎo shuài.
She was a bit too premature in giving up this job.
5
在会议上，他的回答显得非常草率，缺乏深思熟虑。
Zài huìyì shàng, tā de huídá xiǎnde fēicháng cǎoshuài, quēfá shēnsī shúlǜ.
During the meeting, his response seemed very careless, lacking thorough consideration.
6
草率的决策往往会导致严重的后果。
Cǎoshuài de juécè wǎngwǎng huì dǎozhì yánzhòng de hòuguǒ.
Careless decisions often lead to serious consequences.
7
他的报告内容太草率，没有经过仔细的研究。
Tā de bàogào nèiróng tài cǎoshuài, méiyǒu jīngguò zǐxì de yánjiū.
His report was too careless and lacked thorough research.
8
在如此重要的问题上作出草率的决定可能会带来麻烦。
Zài rúcǐ zhòngyào de wèntí shàng zuòchū cǎoshuài de juédìng kěnéng huì dàilái máfan.
Making a careless decision on such an important issue could cause trouble.
9
因为准备草率，他在面试中表现得很差。
Yīnwèi zhǔnbèi cǎoshuài, tā zài miànshì zhōng biǎoxiàn de hěn chà.
Due to careless preparation, he performed poorly in the interview.
10
这篇文章的结论似乎太草率，没有充分的证据支持。
Zhè piān wénzhāng de jiélùn sìhū tài cǎoshuài, méiyǒu chōngfèn de zhèngjù zhīchí.
The conclusion of this article seems too careless, lacking sufficient evidence.
Cultural Notes for 草率
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese work culture, being 草率 can significantly affect one's reputation, as diligence and attention to detail are highly valued. Careless work may not only impact individual performance but can also reflect poorly on the entire team.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In many Western cultures, being careless is often seen as a personal flaw, while in Chinese culture, it may also reflect on the collective responsibility of a group or organization.
Frequently Asked Questions about 草率
You can say '他的工作态度很草率' (His work attitude is very careless).
草率 is generally considered informal and is used in everyday conversation or critiques, but it can also be used in semi-formal contexts.
The opposite would be 认真 (rèn zhēn), which means serious or diligent.
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