Meanings of 世故
By ear
Play it, then pick what 世故 means.
About 世故
Podcast: 世故
Podcast: 世故
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 世故
世故 (shìgù) vs 世俗 (shìsú) — use 世故 when emphasizing social savvy and interpersonal skills, while 世俗 refers to worldly or secular matters, lacking the nuance of social navigation.
This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its connotation; it can sometimes imply cynicism or shrewdness. Common collocations include phrases like 世故的人 (a worldly-wise person) or 世故的事 (worldly matters).
Though not an HSK vocabulary word, understanding 世故 can enhance your grasp of more advanced concepts related to social interactions in Chinese. Focus on its usage in both written and spoken contexts to appreciate its nuances.
Learners often confuse 世故 with other terms like 经验 (experience) or 老练 (experienced), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '他有很多世故' (He has a lot of experiences) is incorrect; it should be '他很世故' (He is very worldly-wise).
Pronunciation of 世故
Drill the tone of 世故, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 世故 to you
Let me explain 世故 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 世故 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 世故?
Learning Lab
Knowing 世故 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say the ways of the world in Chinese
“the ways of the world” in Chinese is世故
世故 refers to a sophisticated understanding of the world and social interactions. It often implies being worldly-wise, knowing how to navigate social situations and relationships effectively, and is commonly used in contexts discussing social etiquette or experience in life.
When to use 世故
This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its connotation; it can sometimes imply cynicism or shrewdness. Common collocations include phrases like 世故的人 (a worldly-wise person) or 世故的事 (worldly matters).
世故 or something close to it
世故 (shìgù) vs 世俗 (shìsú) — use 世故 when emphasizing social savvy and interpersonal skills, while 世俗 refers to worldly or secular matters, lacking the nuance of social navigation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 世故 with other terms like 经验 (experience) or 老练 (experienced), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '他有很多世故' (He has a lot of experiences) is incorrect; it should be '他很世故' (He is very worldly-wise).
Write 世故
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 世故 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 世故?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 世故
The concept of being worldly-wise exists in many cultures, but in Western contexts, it may not carry the same nuances of caution or cynicism that it can imply in Chinese culture.
Frequently asked questions about 世故
While 经验 (jīngyàn) refers to experience in a general sense, 世故 emphasizes social savvy and understanding the intricacies of human interactions.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 世故?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.