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赞扬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
赞扬zànyángto praiseHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #9592, Very Hard
赞扬zànyángto approve ofHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #9592, Very Hard
赞扬zànyángto show approvalHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #9592, Very Hard
zànyáng(zan4yang2) T4
  1. 1to praise
  2. 2to approve of
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March 24, 2026

赞扬(讚揚)zànyáng(zan4yang2)

赞扬 (zàn yáng) means to praise or express approval for someone or something. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as complimenting a job well done or acknowledging someone's achievements. The term carries positive connotations and is associated with encouragement and recognition.

Strokes22Frequency#9592DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing praise is an important aspect of building relationships and fostering a supportive environment, particularly in educational and professional settings. 赞扬 is often used in schools to encourage students and in workplaces to motivate employees.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant '赞' (zàn) sign glowing in praise, where the '赞' looks like two people giving a thumbs up to each other. The '扬' (yáng) can be visualized as a flag waving in the wind, symbolizing the spreading of good words and appreciation.

Meanings of 赞扬

zànyáng(zan4yang2)
1to praise
2to approve of
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 赞扬

赞扬Simplified
讚揚Traditional
22Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 赞扬

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Podcast: 赞扬

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AI Study Notes for 赞扬

Quick Contrast

表扬 (biǎoyáng) vs 赞美 (zànměi) — use 赞扬 for formal praise or acknowledgment, while 表扬 is more commonly used in official contexts, and 赞美 emphasizes admiration or beauty.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when using 赞扬; the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), and the second syllable has a rising tone (2nd tone). Common collocations include 赞扬他人 (praise others) and 赞扬的言辞 (words of praise). Avoid using it in overly casual contexts as it may seem insincere.

HSK Study Tips

Though not specifically assigned to an HSK level, this word is useful for learners aiming for higher proficiency. Connect it with other words related to positive feedback, such as 赞美 (zàn měi, to admire) and 表扬 (biǎo yáng, to commend). Focus on its usage in both spoken and written contexts to enrich vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 赞扬 with 赞美, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我赞美他的努力' (I praise his efforts) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我赞扬他的努力'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 赞扬

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Component Characters

赞zànto praise
HSK 416 strokes贝
View full entry
扬yángto raise
HSK 76 strokes扌
View full entry

How to say to praise in Chinese

“to praise” in Chinese is赞扬zànyáng

赞扬 (zàn yáng) means to praise or express approval for someone or something. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as complimenting a job well done or acknowledging someone's achievements. The term carries positive connotations and is associated with encouragement and recognition.

When to use 赞扬

Be mindful of the tone when using 赞扬; the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), and the second syllable has a rising tone (2nd tone). Common collocations include 赞扬他人 (praise others) and 赞扬的言辞 (words of praise). Avoid using it in overly casual contexts as it may seem insincere.

赞扬 or something close to it

表扬 (biǎoyáng) vs 赞美 (zànměi) — use 赞扬 for formal praise or acknowledgment, while 表扬 is more commonly used in official contexts, and 赞美 emphasizes admiration or beauty.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 赞扬 with 赞美, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我赞美他的努力' (I praise his efforts) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我赞扬他的努力'.

Write 赞扬

赞
扬

Practice writing 赞扬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 赞扬

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, praise can sometimes be seen as excessive flattery, while in Chinese culture, it is often viewed as a vital part of maintaining harmony and motivation.

Frequently Asked Questions about 赞扬

Yes, 赞扬 is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, so you can use it to compliment a friend.

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