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酌情 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
酌情zhuóqíngto use discretionHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #46640, Very Hard
酌情zhuóqíngto take circumstances into accountHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #46640, Very Hard
酌情zhuóqíngto make allowances pertinent to a situationHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #46640, Very Hard
zhuóqíng(zhuo2qing2)zhuo qing T2
  1. 1to use discretion
  2. 2to take circumstances into account
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March 24, 2026

酌情zhuóqíng(zhuo2qing2)

The term 酌情 (zhuóqíng) means to exercise discretion or to consider the specific circumstances when making a decision. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in business or legal settings, where flexibility or adjustments based on particular situations are necessary.

Strokes21Frequency#46640DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, flexibility in decision-making is valued, especially in business negotiations. The concept of 酌情 reflects the importance of interpersonal relationships and situational awareness in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Think of 酌 (zhuó) as 'to pour' and 情 (qíng) as 'feelings'—imagine pouring out your feelings based on the situation at hand. This helps you remember that it involves adjusting actions according to the context.

Meanings of 酌情

zhuóqíng(zhuo2qing2)
1to use discretion
2to take circumstances into account
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About 酌情

酌情Simplified
21Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 酌情

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AI Study Notes for 酌情

Quick Contrast

酌情 (exercise discretion) vs 灵活 (flexible) — use 酌情 when emphasizing consideration of specific circumstances rather than general adaptability.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 酌情 with similar terms that suggest rigidity or fixed rules. It is more flexible and often used in formal registers. Common collocations include 酌情处理 (handle with discretion) and 酌情考虑 (consider with discretion).

HSK Study Tips

While 酌情 itself may not appear in HSK lists, understanding this word can enhance your grasp of HSK vocabulary at higher levels, particularly in business and legal contexts. Focus on the nuances of discretion and context to improve comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 酌情 by applying it to situations that require fixed rules instead of discretion. For example, saying '我们必须酌情遵守规则' (We must discretionarily follow the rules) is incorrect; a more accurate phrase would be '我们必须严格遵守规则' (We must strictly follow the rules).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 酌情

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Component Characters

酌zhuóto pour wine
10 strokes酉
View full entry
情qíngfeeling
HSK 711 strokes忄
View full entry

How to say to use discretion in Chinese

“to use discretion” in Chinese is酌情zhuóqíng

The term 酌情 (zhuóqíng) means to exercise discretion or to consider the specific circumstances when making a decision. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in business or legal settings, where flexibility or adjustments based on particular situations are necessary.

When to use 酌情

Be careful not to confuse 酌情 with similar terms that suggest rigidity or fixed rules. It is more flexible and often used in formal registers. Common collocations include 酌情处理 (handle with discretion) and 酌情考虑 (consider with discretion).

酌情 or something close to it

酌情 (exercise discretion) vs 灵活 (flexible) — use 酌情 when emphasizing consideration of specific circumstances rather than general adaptability.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 酌情 by applying it to situations that require fixed rules instead of discretion. For example, saying '我们必须酌情遵守规则' (We must discretionarily follow the rules) is incorrect; a more accurate phrase would be '我们必须严格遵守规则' (We must strictly follow the rules).

Write 酌情

酌
情

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

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Cultural Notes for 酌情

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, discretion is often tied to individual judgment, whereas in Chinese culture, it also emphasizes harmony and the context of relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions about 酌情

Use 酌情 when you want to express the idea of making a decision based on the particular circumstances, especially in formal or professional contexts.

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