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须知 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
须知xūzhīprerequisitesHSK 7, nr, 17 strokes, rank #38075, Very Hard
须知xūzhīrules that must be known before starting sthHSK 7, nr, 17 strokes, rank #38075, Very Hard
须知xūzhīkey informationHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #38075, Very Hard
须知xūzhīinstructionsHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #38075, Very Hard
须知xūzhīit must be borne in mindHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #38075, Very Hard
xūzhī(xu1zhi1)xu zhi T1
  1. 1prerequisites
  2. 2rules that must be known before starting sth
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March 24, 2026

须知(須知)xūzhī(xu1zhi1)

须知 refers to essential information or prerequisites that one must be aware of before undertaking a task or making a decision. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as instructions, guidelines, or official documents, to indicate important rules or considerations that should not be overlooked.

Strokes17Frequency#38075DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of knowing the '须知' is deeply rooted in the value placed on preparation and awareness, especially in communal and business settings where following protocols is crucial for success.

Memory tip

Think of 须 as a beard (须) that symbolizes wisdom and age, suggesting that experience is necessary to know what you must know (知) before starting something important. Imagine an old sage with a long beard handing you a scroll of instructions, emphasizing the importance of knowing these '须知' before proceeding.

Meanings of 须知

xūzhī(xu1zhi1)
1prerequisites
2rules that must be known before starting sth
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 须知

须知Simplified
須知Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#38075Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI study notes for 须知

Quick Contrast

注意 (zhùyì) vs 须知 (xūzhī): Use 须知 when emphasizing essential prerequisites, while 注意 is for general reminders or warnings.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 须知 in casual contexts where simpler terms would suffice. It is primarily formal, so avoid using it in informal conversations. A frequent collocation is '须知事项' (important matters to be aware of). Pay attention to the tones to ensure clarity, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 须知 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to instructions and guidelines. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in formal texts and understanding how it fits into broader discussions about rules and regulations in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 须知 with simpler terms like '知道' (to know). For example, saying '我须知道这个' is incorrect; it should be '我须知这个' to convey the meaning of essential information.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 须知

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Component characters

须xūmust
HSK 79 strokes彡
View full entry
知zhīto know
HSK 68 strokes矢
View full entry

How to say prerequisites in Chinese

“prerequisites” in Chinese is须知xūzhī

须知 refers to essential information or prerequisites that one must be aware of before undertaking a task or making a decision. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as instructions, guidelines, or official documents, to indicate important rules or considerations that should not be overlooked.

When to use 须知

Common mistakes include using 须知 in casual contexts where simpler terms would suffice. It is primarily formal, so avoid using it in informal conversations. A frequent collocation is '须知事项' (important matters to be aware of). Pay attention to the tones to ensure clarity, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings.

须知 or something close to it

注意 (zhùyì) vs 须知 (xūzhī): Use 须知 when emphasizing essential prerequisites, while 注意 is for general reminders or warnings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 须知 with simpler terms like '知道' (to know). For example, saying '我须知道这个' is incorrect; it should be '我须知这个' to convey the meaning of essential information.

Write 须知

须
知

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Frequently asked questions about 须知

An example sentence is: '在参加会议之前,请仔细阅读须知。' (Before attending the meeting, please carefully read the instructions.)

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