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March 24, 2026
注意zhùyì(zhu4yi4)
注意 (zhù yì) means 'to take note of' or 'to pay attention to'. It is commonly used in contexts where focus or awareness is required, such as in instructions or warnings. The word emphasizes the importance of being mindful of something, whether it's a task, detail, or situation.
Frequency#466DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, paying attention is highly valued, especially in education and professional settings. The phrase '注意安全' (zhù yì ān quán) is often used to remind people to be safe, reflecting the cultural emphasis on communal well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'zoo' where every animal is 'noticing' something unusual. The 'zhù' sounds like 'zoo', and 'yì' resembles 'eye', which can help you remember that this word is all about paying attention and noticing details.
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AI Study Notes for 注意
Quick Contrast
留意 (liúyì) vs 注意 (zhùyì): use 留意 when implying a more casual or ongoing observation, while 注意 stresses a more immediate or urgent need to focus.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'zoo' where every animal is 'noticing' something unusual. The 'zhù' sounds like 'zoo', and 'yì' resembles 'eye', which can help you remember that this word is all about paying attention and noticing details.
Usage Notes
注意 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure to use it appropriately based on the situation. A common mistake is to confuse it with '留意' (liú yì), which also means to pay attention but has a slightly different nuance. Be mindful of your intonation to convey urgency or seriousness.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 注意 connects with other verbs related to perception and awareness, like '看' (kàn – to see) and '听' (tīng – to hear). Students should focus on using it in sentences that express caution or the need for attention.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, paying attention is highly valued, especially in education and professional settings. The phrase '注意安全' (zhù yì ān quán) is often used to remind people to be safe, reflecting the cultural emphasis on communal well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 注意 incorrectly with an object that doesn't require attention. For example, saying '注意吃' (pay attention to eat) is incorrect; it should be '注意饮食' (pay attention to diet) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 注意
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Grammar Patterns of 注意
注意 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.
He noticed a new building going up near Whitaker Park.
8
你一定注意到他有时候显得特别疲惫。
nǐ yī dìng zhù yì dào tā yǒu shí hòu xiǎn dé tè bié pí bèi。
You must have noticed how tired he sometimes looks.
9
他正挥手以引起他们的注意。
tā zhèng huī shǒu yǐ yǐn qǐ tā mén de zhù yì。
He was waving his arms to draw their attention.
10
直到那个男人拦住她的去路，她才注意到他。
zhí dào nà gè nán rén lán zhù tā de qù lù， ， tā cái zhù yì dào。
She did not notice the man until he moved into her path.
vto pay attention to3
11
开车时一定要注意安全。
Kāichē shí yídìng yào zhùyì ānquán.
You must pay attention to safety when driving.
12
请注意，这个房间禁止吸烟。
Qǐng zhùyì, zhège fángjiān jìnzhǐ xīyān.
Please pay attention, smoking is prohibited in this room.
13
老师让我们注意听他说的话。
Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen zhùyì tīng tā shuō de huà.
The teacher asked us to pay attention to what he says.
Cultural Notes for 注意
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, paying attention is highly valued, especially in education and professional settings. The phrase '注意安全' (zhù yì ān quán) is often used to remind people to be safe, reflecting the cultural emphasis on communal well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions about 注意
You can say '请注意安全' (qǐng zhù yì ān quán) meaning 'Please pay attention to safety.'
No, 注意 can be used in both formal and informal settings depending on the context.
注意 emphasizes the act of paying attention, while 留意 suggests being aware or mindful of something over time.
