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March 24, 2026
得失()déshī(de2shi1)
得失 (de2 shi1) refers to the concepts of gains and losses or success and failure in various contexts. It is commonly used in discussions about decision-making, investments, or philosophical reflections on life, highlighting the balance between what one achieves and what one sacrifices.
Frequency#21632DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 得失 is deeply rooted in Confucian thought, which emphasizes balance and moderation. The idea that one must weigh their actions and their consequences is a common theme in Chinese philosophy and is often reflected in literature and proverbs.
Memory Tip
Imagine a scale balancing '得' (gains) on one side and '失' (losses) on the other. The character '得' has a 'foot' (the radical indicates movement or achievement) stepping forward into success, while '失' has a falling line, representing what is lost. Visualizing this balance helps remember the meaning.
Meanings of 得失
déshī(de2shi1)
1gains and losses
2success and failure
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About 得失
得失Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 得失
Podcast: 得失
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AI Study Notes for 得失
Quick Contrast
得 (gain) vs 失 (loss) — use 得失 to emphasize the relationship between both concepts in a balanced context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a scale balancing '得' (gains) on one side and '失' (losses) on the other. The character '得' has a 'foot' (the radical indicates movement or achievement) stepping forward into success, while '失' has a falling line, representing what is lost. Visualizing this balance helps remember the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 得失 with other similar terms that only refer to gains or losses separately. It is often used in formal contexts, such as business discussions or philosophical debates. Common collocations include '得失权衡' (weighing gains and losses) and '得失观' (perspective on gains and losses).
HSK Study Tips
While 得失 is not an HSK word, it relates to broader themes in HSK vocabulary about success and challenges. Focus on understanding how this term can be used in various contexts to express the dual nature of outcomes in life, especially when discussing personal experiences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 得失 is deeply rooted in Confucian thought, which emphasizes balance and moderation. The idea that one must weigh their actions and their consequences is a common theme in Chinese philosophy and is often reflected in literature and proverbs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misinterpret 得失 as only referring to losses, neglecting its dual nature. For example, saying '我只关心失' (I only care about losses) is incorrect; it should be '我关心得失' (I care about gains and losses).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 得失
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Cultural Notes for 得失
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 得失 is deeply rooted in Confucian thought, which emphasizes balance and moderation. The idea that one must weigh their actions and their consequences is a common theme in Chinese philosophy and is often reflected in literature and proverbs.
Frequently Asked Questions about 得失
得失 means gains and losses, referring to both success and failure.
You can use it to discuss outcomes, such as '在投资中，我们必须考虑得失' (In investments, we must consider gains and losses).
Yes, it is typically used in more formal contexts, especially in discussions about business or ethics.
