Chinese word

优秀

Pronunciation

Pinyinyōu xiù

Meaning

  • adjectiveexcellent

Example

她在班里很优秀。tā zài bān lǐ hěn yōu xiù

She is excellent in her class.

Illustration for 优秀 (excellent)

More examples

他的成绩一直很优秀，获得了学校表彰。tā de chéng jì yì zhí hěn yōu xiù huò dé le xué xiào biǎo zhāng

His grades have always been excellent, and he received recognition from the school.

Core concept

Something that rises well above the surrounding level and is easy to notice for its quality.

Common phrases

  • 优秀的学生yōu xiù de xué shēng

    excellent student

  • 成绩优秀chéng jì yōu xiù

    excellent grades

  • 表现优秀biǎo xiàn yōu xiù

    excellent performance

  • 优秀人才yōu xiù rén cái

    outstanding talent

Similar words

杰出jié chū: Outstanding in talent or achievement, with very high recognition.
出色chū sè: Performing exceptionally well and going beyond expectations.

Definition in Chinese

在某一方面的能力、成绩或品质明显优于大多数，表现突出。zài mǒu yì fāng miàn de néng lì chéng jì huò pǐn zhì míng xiǎn yōu yú dà duō shù biǎo xiàn tū chū

Word origin

优 (yōu, "superior") + 秀 (xiù, "outstanding") joins the idea of being better with the idea of standing out, forming a general word for exceptional merit.

Usage tips

  • The word can praise a person or a piece of work, so context shows whether the notable feature is ability, performance, or character.

Opposites

  • 平庸píng yōngmediocreadjective
  • 差chàbadadjective

Related words

  • 优秀奖yōu xiù jiǎngexcellence awardnoun

Word lists with this word