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March 24, 2026
善于(善於)shànyú(shan4yu2)
The phrase 善于 (shàn yú) means 'to be good at' or 'to be adept at' something. It is commonly used to describe someone's skill or proficiency in a particular area, often highlighting a positive attribute in their abilities. This term is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing someone's talents or strengths.
Frequency#5872DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being recognized as 善于 a skill is often a source of pride, and it reflects one's hard work and dedication. This concept aligns with the value placed on mastery and expertise in traditional Chinese arts and crafts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '善' (shan) person who is holding a '于' (yu) sign that boasts their talent. Visualize this person excelling in various tasks, showcasing their abilities. The character 善 combines the 'good' radical with 'to be', underscoring the concept of being proficient or skilled.
Meanings of 善于
shànyú(shan4yu2)
1to be good at
2to be adept at
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About 善于
善于Simplified
善於Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5872Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 善于
Podcast: 善于
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AI Study Notes for 善于
Quick Contrast
善于 (shàn yú) vs 擅长 (shàn cháng) — use 善于 when emphasizing general proficiency, while 擅长 focuses more on specific skills or expertise.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a '善' (shan) person who is holding a '于' (yu) sign that boasts their talent. Visualize this person excelling in various tasks, showcasing their abilities. The character 善 combines the 'good' radical with 'to be', underscoring the concept of being proficient or skilled.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 善于 is often used in more formal contexts, especially in written language. A common mistake is to confuse it with '善' (shàn), which means 'kind' or 'good' without the context of skill. Correct usage would be: '他善于沟通' (He is good at communication).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 善于 connects well with other verbs expressing ability or skill, such as 能 (néng) and 会 (huì). Students should practice using it in sentences to express proficiency in various activities or subjects.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being recognized as 善于 a skill is often a source of pride, and it reflects one's hard work and dedication. This concept aligns with the value placed on mastery and expertise in traditional Chinese arts and crafts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the correct structure. For example, saying '他善于学习' (He is good at study) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '他善于学习' (He is good at learning). Another mistake is using it inappropriately in informal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 善于
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Grammar Patterns of 善于
善于 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
洛伦佐是天生的领袖，____交友。
Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily.
Everybody in Detroit knew that Chrysler was run by financial men.
Cultural Notes for 善于
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being recognized as 善于 a skill is often a source of pride, and it reflects one's hard work and dedication. This concept aligns with the value placed on mastery and expertise in traditional Chinese arts and crafts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 善于
No, 善于 specifically refers to skills or abilities, not character traits.
While it is more common in formal contexts, it can also be used informally among friends.
Synonyms include 擅长 (shàn cháng) which also means 'to be good at'.
