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适合 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
适合shìhéto fitHSK 4, v, rank #1094, Medium
适合shìhéto suitHSK 4, v, rank #1094, Medium
shìhé(shi4he2) T4
  1. 1to fit
  2. 2to suit
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March 24, 2026
适合(適合)shìhé(shi4he2)

适合 (shìhé) means 'to fit' or 'to suit' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to describe how something is appropriate for a particular person, situation, or purpose. The term is versatile and can apply to clothing, activities, or even relationships, emphasizing compatibility or suitability.

Frequency#1094DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, making sure something is suitable is highly valued, whether it's in clothing choices for an occasion or in the selection of a partner. The concept of harmony, which is central to Chinese philosophy, ties closely to the idea of suitability.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tailor fitting a suit perfectly for someone. The character 适 (shì) resembles a person making sure the suit fits, while 合 (hé) suggests harmony or coming together. Together, they tell a story of finding the right match.

Meanings of 适合

shìhé(shi4he2)
1to fit
2to suit
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 适合

适合Simplified
適合Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1094Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 适合

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Podcast: 适合

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AI Study Notes for 适合

Quick Contrast

合适 (héshì) - use 适合 (shìhé) for actions or situations, while 合适 (héshì) is more commonly used for conditions or states.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tailor fitting a suit perfectly for someone. The character 适 (shì) resembles a person making sure the suit fits, while 合 (hé) suggests harmony or coming together. Together, they tell a story of finding the right match.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 适合, as it can convey formal or informal tones depending on the situation. A common mistake is to use it without the appropriate subject, such as saying '这适合' (this fits) without specifying what 'this' refers to. Make sure to pair it with the correct subject for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 适合 connects well with other words that discuss preferences or suitability, such as 合适 (héshì, appropriate). Focus on using it in sentences to practice context and collocation, like '这种颜色适合你' ('This color suits you').

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, making sure something is suitable is highly valued, whether it's in clothing choices for an occasion or in the selection of a partner. The concept of harmony, which is central to Chinese philosophy, ties closely to the idea of suitability.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 适合 with 合适, using them interchangeably in contexts where one is more appropriate than the other. For example, saying '这个颜色是适合' is incorrect; it should be '这个颜色很合适.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 适合

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Component Characters

适kuòto fit
9 strokes辶
View full entry
合gě100 ml
HSK 56 strokes口
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Write 适合

适
合

Practice writing 适合 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 适合

适合 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.

Related grammar lessons4
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你的方法未必____我。

Your method may not suit me.

Example Sentences for 适合 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我认为长期伏案的生活一点也不适合我。

wǒ rèn wéi cháng qī fú àn de shēng huó yī diǎn yě bù shì hé wǒ。

I don't think a sedentary life would altogether suit me.
2
你的发动机很适合烧76号辛烷汽油。

nǐ de fā dòng jī hěn shì hé shāo76 76 hào xīn wán qì。

Your engine can run happily on 76 octane petrol.
3
梅诺卡岛是那种适合家庭旅游的地方。

méi nuò kǎ dǎo shì nà zhǒng shì hé jiā tíng lǚ yóu de dì fāng。

Minorca is the sort of place that caters for families.
4
如果你喜欢户外运动，这一旅行很适合你。

rú guǒ nǐ xǐ huān hù wài yùn dòng， ， zhè yī lǚ háng hěn shì hé。

If you enjoy outdoor activities, this is the trip for you.
5
天气太好了，适合户外工作。

tiān qì tài hǎo le， ， shì hé hù wài gōng。

The weather was fine enough for working out of doors.
6
我不是一味赶时髦的人，我只穿适合自己的服装。

wǒ bù shì yī wèi gǎn shí máo de rén， ， wǒ zhī chuān shì hé zì jǐ de fú。

I'm not a fashion victim; I stick to what suits me.
7
这份工作不适合不擅长算术的人。

zhè fèn gōng zuò bù shì hé bù shàn cháng suàn shù de rén。

It's not a job for anyone who is slow with numbers.
8
我不是那种适合结婚的人。

wǒ bù shì nà zhǒng shì hé jié hūn de rén。

I'm not the kind of person to get married.
9
海伦选择的唇膏很适合她的肤色。

hǎi lún xuǎn zé de chún gāo hěn shì hé tā de fū sè。

Helen's choice of lipstick was a good match for her skin-tone.
10
你看上去气色好极了，布赖恩。巴哈马显然很适合你。

nǐ kàn shàng qù qì sè hǎo jí le， ， bù lài。 ēn 。 bā hā mǎ xiǎn rán hěn shì。

You look great, Brian. The Bahamas certainly agree with you.

Cultural Notes for 适合

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, making sure something is suitable is highly valued, whether it's in clothing choices for an occasion or in the selection of a partner. The concept of harmony, which is central to Chinese philosophy, ties closely to the idea of suitability.

Frequently Asked Questions about 适合

You can say, '这件衣服很适合你' (This piece of clothing suits you well).