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种类 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
种类zhǒnglèikindHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèigenusHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèitypeHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèicategoryHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèivarietyHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèispeciesHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèisortHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
种类zhǒnglèiclassHSK 5, n, rank #9308, Hard
zhǒnglèi(zhong3lei4) T3
  1. 1kind
  2. 2genus
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March 24, 2026
种类(種類)zhǒnglèi(zhong3lei4)

种类 (zhǒnglèi) refers to a category or type of something, often used to classify items based on shared characteristics. This word is commonly used in contexts such as biology, consumer products, or general classification, indicating different varieties or kinds within a broader group.

Frequency#9308DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, categorization is important in many aspects of life, from traditional medicine to culinary arts, where different types of ingredients are classified according to their properties and uses.

Memory Tip

Think of 种 (zhǒng) as 'seed' and 类 (lèi) as 'kind'—imagine planting different seeds that grow into various types of plants. Visualize a garden with diverse species to remember that 种类 encompasses all sorts of categories.

Meanings of 种类

zhǒnglèi(zhong3lei4)
1kind
2genus
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 种类

种类Simplified
種類Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9308Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 种类

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Podcast: 种类

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AI Study Notes for 种类

Quick Contrast

类型 (lèixíng) - use 种类 (zhǒnglèi) when emphasizing categories based on characteristics, while 类型 (lèixíng) often refers to types or classifications with a focus on form or structure.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 种 (zhǒng) as 'seed' and 类 (lèi) as 'kind'—imagine planting different seeds that grow into various types of plants. Visualize a garden with diverse species to remember that 种类 encompasses all sorts of categories.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 种类 with 类别 (lèibié), which also means 'type' but is used in more formal contexts. Always ensure you’re using the correct tone; remember that 种类 is a third and fourth tone, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 种类 connects well with other classification-related terms like 类型 (lèixíng) and 形式 (xíngshì). Focus on understanding how to apply it in sentences to describe different categories of things.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, categorization is important in many aspects of life, from traditional medicine to culinary arts, where different types of ingredients are classified according to their properties and uses.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly say 种类 with the wrong tones, such as 'zhong1 lei4'. The correct pronunciation is 'zhǒnglèi'. Additionally, using 种类 to refer to individual items instead of groups can lead to confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 种类

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Component Characters

种zhǒngseed
HSK 39 strokes禾
View full entry
类lèikind
HSK 59 strokes大
View full entry

Write 种类

种
类

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

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Grammar Patterns of 种类

种类 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 8 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 lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

按说现在是蔬菜供应淡季，可是这里的蔬菜____还是不少。

Supposedly this is the off-season for vegetable supply, but the variety of vegetables here is still quite good.

Example Sentences for 种类 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
体内有3种类型的肌肉。

tǐ nèi yǒu3 3 zhǒng lèi xíng de jī。

There are three types of muscle in the body.
2
某些种类的动植物不能适应迅速变化的环境。

mǒu xiē zhǒng lèi de dòng zhí wù bù néng shì yīng xùn sù biàn huà de huán jìng。

Some animal and plant species cannot accommodate to the rapidly changing cond-itions.
3
那些细胞分裂，产生出许多不同种类的细胞。

nà xiē xì bāo fēn liè， ， chǎn shēng chū xǔ duō bù tóng zhǒng lèi de xì。

Those cells divide and give many other different types of cells.
4
你更喜欢哪种类型的代步工具？

nǐ gēng xǐ huān nǎ zhǒng lèi xíng de dài bù gōng jù？

Which type of transport do you prefer?
5
1990年，25%的家庭属于这种类型。

1990 1990，25% nián ，25% de jiā tíng shǔ yú zhè zhǒng。

In 1990, 25% of households were of this type.
6
我们拥有种类繁多的工业，主要位于伦敦周围各郡和东英吉利地区。

wǒ mén yōng yǒu zhǒng lèi fán duō de gōng yè， ， zhǔ yào wèi yú lún dūn zhōu wéi gè jùn hé dōng yīng jí lì dì。

We have an enormous spread of industries, mainly in the Home Counties and East Anglia.
7
这种类型的借款利率可能会很高。

zhè zhǒng lèi xíng de jiè kuǎn lì shuài kě néng huì hěn gāo。

Rates of interest for this type of borrowing can be high.
8
现在可以买到许许多多不同种类的蘑菇。

xiàn zài kě yǐ mǎi dào xǔ xǔ duō duō bù tóng zhǒng lèi de mó gū。

There are so many different sorts of mushrooms available these days.
9
他们经营种类繁多的花草茶。

tā mén jīng yíng zhǒng lèi fán duō de huā cǎo chá。

They do a good range of herbal tea.
10
有些种类的鲱鱼幼鱼可制成罐头.

yǒu xiē zhǒng lèi de fēi yú yòu yú kě zhì chéng guàn tóu.

The young of some kinds of herring are canned as sardines.

Cultural Notes for 种类

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, categorization is important in many aspects of life, from traditional medicine to culinary arts, where different types of ingredients are classified according to their properties and uses.

Frequently Asked Questions about 种类

You can say '这个水果有很多种类' (This fruit has many types).