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March 24, 2026
删除(刪除)shānchú(shan1chu2)
删除 (shānchú) means 'to delete' or 'to cancel.' It is commonly used in contexts involving technology, such as deleting files or canceling actions. The nuance can imply a permanent removal, often highlighting the finality of the action.
Frequency#6515DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese digital life, the act of 删除 is often associated with the importance of data management, reflecting a societal emphasis on organization and efficiency, especially in business environments.
Memory Tip
Think of a computer screen where you press a big red 'delete' button to remove unwanted files. The character 删除 combines '去' (go away) with '除' (remove), visually representing things being taken away, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 删除
shānchú(shan1chu2)
1to delete
2to cancel
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 删除
删除Simplified
刪除Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6515Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 删除
Podcast: 删除
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AI Study Notes for 删除
Quick Contrast
删除 (shānchú) vs 取消 (qǔxiāo) — use 删除 when emphasizing permanent removal, while 取消 is more about canceling an action without implying deletion.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a computer screen where you press a big red 'delete' button to remove unwanted files. The character 删除 combines '去' (go away) with '除' (remove), visually representing things being taken away, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 删除; it has a first tone on '删' and a second tone on '除.' This word is informal and commonly used in everyday conversations about technology. It is often collocated with terms like '文件' (file) or '订单' (order).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 删除 connects with other tech-related vocabulary, such as '保存' (to save) and '上传' (to upload). Focus on using it in sentences about digital tasks to strengthen your understanding and recall.
Cultural Note
In Chinese digital life, the act of 删除 is often associated with the importance of data management, reflecting a societal emphasis on organization and efficiency, especially in business environments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 删除 with '移除' (yí chú), which also means 'to remove' but is used in more physical contexts. A common mistake is saying '我删除了它' (I deleted it) when it should specify the context, like '我删除了文件' (I deleted the file).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 删除
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Grammar Patterns of 删除
删除 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
这本书因含有需要____的问题章节而被撤回。
The book was withdrawn for the offending passages to be deleted.
Example Sentences for 删除 (4)
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1
这本书因含有需要删除的问题章节而被撤回。
zhè běn shū yīn hán yǒu xū yào shān chú de wèn tí zhāng jié ér bèi chè huí。
The book was withdrawn for the offending passages to be deleted.
It appears the names were accidentally erased from computer disks.
4
它初版于1914年，当时删除了大量内容。
tā chū bǎn yú1914 1914， nián ， dāng shí shān chú le dà liáng。
It was first published in 1914 in a highly expurgated version.
Cultural Notes for 删除
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese digital life, the act of 删除 is often associated with the importance of data management, reflecting a societal emphasis on organization and efficiency, especially in business environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about 删除
You can say '我想删除这个文件' (I want to delete this file).
While it is most commonly used in digital contexts, it can also refer to canceling plans or removing something from a list.
The opposite would be '添加' (tiānjiā), which means 'to add'.
