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美术 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
美术měishùartHSK 5, n, rank #10964, Medium
美术měishùfine artsHSK 5, n, rank #10964, Medium
美术měishùpaintingHSK 5, n, rank #10964, Medium
美术měishù>种[zhǒng]HSK 5, n, rank #10964, Medium
měishù(mei3shu4) T3
  1. 1art
  2. 2fine arts
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March 24, 2026
美术(美術)měishù(mei3shu4)

美术 (měi shù) refers to fine arts, encompassing various forms of visual art such as painting, sculpture, and design. It is commonly used in academic contexts, art classes, and discussions about artistic expression and appreciation. The term highlights the aesthetic quality of art, distinguishing it from other forms like applied arts or crafts.

Frequency#10964DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In China, 美术 has a significant place in education, with many schools offering specialized programs in fine arts. The appreciation of 美术 is deeply rooted in Chinese history, reflecting traditional values and modern influences.

Memory Tip

Think of 美 (měi) as 'beautiful' and 术 (shù) as 'skills' or 'techniques'. Imagine an artist skillfully creating beautiful works, using techniques that captivate the eye. Visualize an art studio filled with stunning paintings to help remember this connection.

Meanings of 美术

měishù(mei3shu4)
1art
2fine arts
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 美术

美术Simplified
美術Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10964Frequency Rank
种Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 美术

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Podcast: 美术

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 美术

Quick Contrast

绘画 (huìhuà) refers specifically to painting, while 美术 (měishù) encompasses a broader range of visual arts.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 美 (měi) as 'beautiful' and 术 (shù) as 'skills' or 'techniques'. Imagine an artist skillfully creating beautiful works, using techniques that captivate the eye. Visualize an art studio filled with stunning paintings to help remember this connection.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 美术 with 艺术 (yì shù), which is a broader term for 'art' that includes performing arts. 美术 is often used in educational contexts, so it has a more formal tone. Common collocations include '美术作品' (měi shù zuò pǐn - fine art works) and '美术馆' (měi shù guǎn - art gallery).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 美术 connects well with other vocabulary related to culture and aesthetics, such as 文化 (wén huà - culture) and 艺术 (yì shù - art). Students should focus on understanding its usage in context and its relationship to other artistic terms.

Cultural Note

In China, 美术 has a significant place in education, with many schools offering specialized programs in fine arts. The appreciation of 美术 is deeply rooted in Chinese history, reflecting traditional values and modern influences.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 美术 with related terms like 艺术 or 设计 (shè jì - design), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我学习设计' (Wǒ xué xí shè jì - I study design) when referring to fine arts should be corrected to '我学习美术'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 美术

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Component Characters

美měibeautiful
HSK 49 strokes羊
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术shùmethod
HSK 45 strokes木
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Write 美术

美
术

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

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Grammar Patterns of 美术

美术 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 4 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 2

Complete the Sentence

对于____和音乐，她很有研究。

Regarding art and music, she has done a lot of research.

Example Sentences for 美术 (6)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
詹金森促成了老美术馆的重新整修。

zhān jīn sēn cù chéng le lǎo měi shù guǎn de zhòng xīn zhěng xiū。

Jenkinson instigated a refurbishment of the old gallery.
2
1999年首届东宇美术馆收藏展(沈阳?东宇美术馆).

1999 1999 nián shǒu jiè dōng yǔ měi shù guǎn shōu cáng( zhǎn (? shěn yáng ? dōng yǔ).

First Dongyu Art Museum Collection Show, Shenyang Dongyu Art Museum.
3
美术书籍制作成本高。

měi shù shū jí zhì zuò chéng běn gāo。

Art books are expensive to produce.
4
在18世纪，人们认为美术和音乐、诗歌一样，能够起到教化作用。

zài18 18 shì， jì ， rén mén rèn wéi měi shù hé、 yīn lè 、 shī， gē yī yàng ， néng gòu qǐ dào。

In the 18th century art was seen, along with music and poetry, as something edifying.
5
索菲问她是否愿意来教美术课。

suǒ fēi wèn tā shì fǒu yuàn yì lái jiào měi shù kè。

Sophie asked her if she would like to come and give art lessons.
6
这位美术家一定花了好几小时把这画像蚀刻在玻璃上.

zhè wèi měi shù jiā yī dìng huā le hǎo jī xiǎo shí bǎ zhè huà xiàng shí kè zài bō lí shàng.

The artist must have spent hours etching the image on the glass.

Cultural Notes for 美术

🏮Cultural insight

In China, 美术 has a significant place in education, with many schools offering specialized programs in fine arts. The appreciation of 美术 is deeply rooted in Chinese history, reflecting traditional values and modern influences.

Frequently Asked Questions about 美术

美术 specifically refers to fine arts like painting and sculpture, while 艺术 is a broader term that encompasses all forms of art, including performing arts.