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March 24, 2026
说服(說服)shuōfú(shuo1fu2)
说服 (shuōfú) means to persuade or convince someone to accept a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. It is commonly used in discussions, debates, and negotiations where one party aims to influence another's decision. The nuance includes not only convincing but also the act of reasoning or discussing to arrive at agreement.
Frequency#1721DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the ability to persuade effectively is highly valued, especially in business and interpersonal relationships. Using 说服 skillfully can often lead to better outcomes in negotiations and social harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine a persuasive speaker (说) gently urging (服) their audience to agree with them. Picture this speaker holding a scroll (the character 说 resembles a scroll with words) that contains compelling arguments, making it easier for you to remember that 说服 is about convincing others through speech.
Meanings of 说服
shuōfú(shuo1fu2)
1to persuade
2to convince
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 说服
说服Simplified
說服Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1721Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 说服
Podcast: 说服
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AI Study Notes for 说服
Quick Contrast
劝说 (quànshuō) vs 说服 (shuōfú): use 说服 when emphasizing the act of convincing someone to accept a viewpoint, while 劝说 may imply a gentler or more suggestive approach.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a persuasive speaker (说) gently urging (服) their audience to agree with them. Picture this speaker holding a scroll (the character 说 resembles a scroll with words) that contains compelling arguments, making it easier for you to remember that 说服 is about convincing others through speech.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 说服 with similar verbs like 影响 (yǐngxiǎng, to influence) or 劝说 (quànshuō, to advise). 说服 is more about convincing someone, while the others may not always imply agreement. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, so be mindful of the audience.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 说服 connects well with other vocabulary related to communication, such as 讨论 (tǎolùn, to discuss) and 交流 (jiāoliú, to exchange). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences that involve persuasion or discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the ability to persuade effectively is highly valued, especially in business and interpersonal relationships. Using 说服 skillfully can often lead to better outcomes in negotiations and social harmony.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 说服 by using it in contexts that require a softer approach, such as suggesting ideas. For example, saying '我想说服你试试这个' (I want to persuade you to try this) is too strong; it should be '我想建议你试试这个' (I want to suggest you try this).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 说服
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Grammar Patterns of 说服
说服 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 5 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.
Swanson persuaded Hubley to work undercover to capture the killer.
9
杰罗姆试图说服她在巴黎买一套公寓。
jié luó mǔ shì tú shuō fú tā zài bā lí mǎi yī tào gōng yù。
Gerome tried to talk her into taking an apartment in Paris.
10
你觉得有可能说服她去做那些事情吗？
nǐ jué dé yǒu kě néng shuō fú tā qù zuò nà xiē shì qíng ma？
Do you think she could be prevailed upon to do those things?
Cultural Notes for 说服
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the ability to persuade effectively is highly valued, especially in business and interpersonal relationships. Using 说服 skillfully can often lead to better outcomes in negotiations and social harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions about 说服
You can say, '我试着说服他接受这个提议' (I tried to persuade him to accept this proposal).
Yes, 说服 can be used in both settings, though the approach may vary depending on the audience.
While both mean to persuade, 说服 often implies a stronger sense of convincing someone, whereas 劝说 can be more about advising.
