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March 24, 2026
体育(體育)tǐyù(ti3yu4)
体育 refers to sports and physical education in general. It encompasses a wide range of physical activities, including competitive sports, exercise, and health-related fitness. Commonly used in educational contexts, it signifies the importance of physical activity for overall health and well-being.
Frequency#3431DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, 体育 is highly emphasized in schools, with regular physical education classes and national sports events promoting health and fitness among youth. The government often supports initiatives to encourage participation in sports.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of people playing various sports (the 'ti' in 体育 sounds like 'tea', so picture them drinking tea after a game). The character '体' looks like a body, emphasizing physical activities, while '育' suggests nurturing or development, as in growing stronger through sports.
Meanings of 体育
tǐyù(ti3yu4)
1sports
2physical education
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About 体育
体育Simplified
體育Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#3431Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 体育
Podcast: 体育
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AI Study Notes for 体育
Quick Contrast
体育 (tǐyù) vs 运动 (yùndòng) — use 体育 when referring specifically to sports and physical education, while 运动 is broader, encompassing any form of physical activity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a group of people playing various sports (the 'ti' in 体育 sounds like 'tea', so picture them drinking tea after a game). The character '体' looks like a body, emphasizing physical activities, while '育' suggests nurturing or development, as in growing stronger through sports.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 体育 with related terms like 健身 (fitness) or 运动 (exercise/sports), which have more specific connotations. 体育 is more formal and is often used in educational settings, so avoid using it in casual conversation about everyday activities.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 体育 connects well with other vocabulary related to health and activities, such as 运动 and 健康. Students should practice using it in sentences that describe their sports preferences or habits to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In China, 体育 is highly emphasized in schools, with regular physical education classes and national sports events promoting health and fitness among youth. The government often supports initiatives to encourage participation in sports.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 体育 by saying it refers to just any kind of exercise, rather than specifically sports or physical education. For example, saying '我去体育' (I go to sports) is incorrect; instead, use '我去运动' (I go to exercise).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 体育
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Grammar Patterns of 体育
体育 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The gym teachers lined us up against the cement walls.
9
在贝尔法斯特校园的学生可以使用极好的体育设施.
zài bèi ěr fǎ sī tè xiào yuán de xué shēng kě yǐ shǐ yòng jí hǎo de tǐ yù shè shī.
Students at the Belfast campus have access to excellent sports facilities.
10
他是个很好的学生, 可体育运动才是他真正出色之处.
tā shì gè hěn hǎo de xué shēng, , kě tǐ yù yùn dòng cái shì tā zhēn zhèng chū sè zhī.
He's a pretty good student, but sports are where he really shines.
Cultural Notes for 体育
🏮Cultural insight
In China, 体育 is highly emphasized in schools, with regular physical education classes and national sports events promoting health and fitness among youth. The government often supports initiatives to encourage participation in sports.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While both Western and Chinese cultures value sports and physical education, Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on collective participation in sports activities, often seen during national events or community gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 体育
You can say '我喜欢体育' (I like sports) or '我们的学校有很好的体育课程' (Our school has excellent physical education courses).
No, while it is commonly associated with educational contexts, 体育 can also refer to sports in general, applicable in various discussions about health and fitness.
Common sports included with 体育 may be 足球 (soccer), 篮球 (basketball), and 游泳 (swimming).
