HSK · Level 111
45 words
Chinese word
略
Pronunciation
Pinyinlüè
Meaning
- adverba little
Example
我略紧张。wǒ lüè jǐn zhāng
I am a little nervous.
More examples
他在发言时略显疲惫。tā zài fā yán shí lüè xiǎn pí bèi
He looked slightly tired while speaking.
Core concept
Something is reduced to a small margin, or described without exact detail.
Common phrases
略显疲惫lüè xiǎn pí bèi
look slightly tired
略感欣慰lüè gǎn xīn wèi
feel slightly relieved
略有保留lüè yǒu bǎo liú
have some reservations
Similar words
有点儿yóu diǎnr: A little, in a natural spoken way, describing a small change in a feeling or degree.
稍微shāo wēi: Slightly or by a very small amount, describing degree or quantity.
略微lüè wēi: To a very small degree, with a somewhat written or formal tone.
微微wēi wēi: Very slightly, showing a small movement, action, or change in expression.
Definition in Chinese
表示程度很小，在动词或形容词前作状语，相当于“有点儿”“稍微”。biǎo shì chéng dù hén xiǎo zài dòng cí huò xíng róng cí qián zuò zhuàng yǔ xiāng dāng yú yóu diǎnr shāo wēi
Word origin
The older sense of 略 (lüè, "to omit or summarize") centers on leaving something out, which naturally leads to describing a mild degree or an inexact amount.
Usage tips
- Its short, formal style suits compact written language, while ordinary spoken conversation usually chooses a fuller expression for the same kind of softening or approximation.