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March 24, 2026
小说(小說)xiǎoshuō(xiao3shuo1)
小说 (xiǎo shuō) refers to a narrative work of fiction, typically written in prose. It encompasses a variety of genres and styles, often focusing on character development and plot, and is commonly used in both casual and academic contexts when discussing literature.
Frequency#2478DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In modern Chinese culture, novels, especially those serialized online, have gained immense popularity, reflecting the evolving landscape of literature and the influence of digital media on reading habits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small (小, xiǎo) story (说, shuō) that unfolds in your mind as you read. The character 小 resembles a small figure, while 说 hints at storytelling. Together, they form the concept of a 'novel' that transports you to different worlds.
Meanings of 小说
xiǎoshuō(xiao3shuo1)
1novel
2fiction
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About 小说
小说Simplified
小說Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2478Frequency Rank
本Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 小说
Podcast: 小说
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AI Study Notes for 小说
Quick Contrast
散文 (sǎnwén) vs 小说 (xiǎoshuō): choose 小说 when referring specifically to fictional narratives, while 散文 refers to non-fictional prose or essays.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small (小, xiǎo) story (说, shuō) that unfolds in your mind as you read. The character 小 resembles a small figure, while 说 hints at storytelling. Together, they form the concept of a 'novel' that transports you to different worlds.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone markings; the first syllable should be pronounced with a falling tone (xiǎo) and the second with a high level tone (shuō). In informal contexts, people might refer to a novel simply as 书 (shū), meaning 'book', but using 小说 conveys that it is fiction specifically.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 4, students should focus on understanding how 小说 can be used in various contexts, including discussions about literature and personal preferences. Connect it with other HSK 4 vocabulary related to reading and writing to enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
In modern Chinese culture, novels, especially those serialized online, have gained immense popularity, reflecting the evolving landscape of literature and the influence of digital media on reading habits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 小说 with 书 (shū) and might mistakenly use them interchangeably, which can lead to misunderstanding. Always use 小说 when specifically referring to a fictional narrative.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 小说
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Grammar Patterns of 小说
小说 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
This stupendous novel keeps you gripped to the end.
7
编辑们想让她把这首诗从她的小说中删去。
biān jí mén xiǎng ràng tā bǎ zhè shǒu shī cóng tā de xiǎo shuō zhōng shān qù。
Her editors wanted her to cut out the poetry from her novel.
8
娜奥米把她当母亲的经历字字辛酸地写进了小说。
nà ào mǐ bǎ tā dāng mǔ qīn de jīng lì zì zì xīn suān dì xiě jìn le xiǎo shuō。
Naomi's mothering experiences are poignantly described in her fiction.
9
她开始对写小说有些厌倦了。
tā kāi shǐ duì xiě xiǎo shuō yǒu xiē yàn juàn le。
She had begun to be a little bored with novel writing.
10
她现在正在续写达夫妮·杜穆里埃的小说《蝴蝶梦》。
tā xiàn zài zhèng zài xù xiě dá fū nī· · dù mù lǐ āi de xiǎo《 shuō 《 hú》。
She is currently writing a sequel to Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca"
Cultural Notes for 小说
🏮Cultural insight
In modern Chinese culture, novels, especially those serialized online, have gained immense popularity, reflecting the evolving landscape of literature and the influence of digital media on reading habits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 小说
Genres like romance, historical fiction, and fantasy are very popular, with many authors gaining large followings online.
You can say '我喜欢读小说' (wǒ xǐ huān dú xiǎo shuō).
No, 小说 specifically refers to fiction; non-fiction would be classified under other terms.
