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March 24, 2026
善良shànliáng(shan4liang2)
善良 (shànliáng) refers to a person's inherent goodness and kindness, embodying qualities such as honesty and compassion. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are caring and considerate, often in the context of moral character or ethical behavior.
Frequency#3306DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 善良 is highly valued and often linked to Confucian principles, which emphasize moral integrity and compassion towards others. Acts of kindness are celebrated in festivals and traditional stories.
Memory Tip
Think of 善 (shàn) as 'good' with the left side resembling a person (人) doing good deeds, and 良 (liáng) as 'good' too, with the right part suggesting something pure or wholesome. Imagine a kind-hearted person giving food to someone in need while saying 'shan' to encourage goodness.
Meanings of 善良
shànliáng(shan4liang2)
1good and honest
2kind-hearted
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About 善良
善良Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3306Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 善良
Podcast: 善良
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AI Study Notes for 善良
Quick Contrast
善良 (shànliáng) vs 仁慈 (réncí) — pick 善良 when emphasizing inherent goodness and kindness, while 仁慈 focuses more on mercy and compassion in action.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 善 (shàn) as 'good' with the left side resembling a person (人) doing good deeds, and 良 (liáng) as 'good' too, with the right part suggesting something pure or wholesome. Imagine a kind-hearted person giving food to someone in need while saying 'shan' to encourage goodness.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 善良 with just 善 (shàn), which means 'good' but doesn't emphasize kindness. It is generally used in a positive context, so avoid using it sarcastically. Common collocations include '善良的心' (kind-hearted heart) and '善良的人' (kind person).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 善良 connects well with other character adjectives like 友好 (friendly) and 诚实 (honest). Focus on how 善良 complements discussions about character traits and ethical behavior in various contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 善良 is highly valued and often linked to Confucian principles, which emphasize moral integrity and compassion towards others. Acts of kindness are celebrated in festivals and traditional stories.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 善良 with 友好 (friendly), thinking they mean the same thing. Remember, 善良 emphasizes moral goodness and kindness, while 友好 is more about friendliness in social interactions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 善良
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Grammar Patterns of 善良
善良 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
tā běn kě yǐ qīng yì dì zhèng shí zì jǐ chún zhēn shàn liáng de pǐn xìng。
She could have established her own innocence and virtue easily enough.
10
“ 喂! —— 这是怎么讲, 善良的丁梅斯代尔先生? ”
“ “!—— wèi ! —— zhè shì zěn, mó jiǎng , shàn liáng de dīng méi sī dài?”
" Ay -- how is that, good Master Dimmesdale? "
Cultural Notes for 善良
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 善良 is highly valued and often linked to Confucian principles, which emphasize moral integrity and compassion towards others. Acts of kindness are celebrated in festivals and traditional stories.
Frequently Asked Questions about 善良
You can say '他是一个善良的人' (He is a kind-hearted person) to describe someone positively.
While primarily used for individuals, it can describe actions or behaviors that are kind and good-hearted.
No, it is typically used in a sincere context and should not be used sarcastically.
