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March 24, 2026
重大zhòngdà(zhong4da4)
The term 重大 (zhòngdà) means 'great,' 'important,' or 'significant,' often used to describe matters of considerable weight or influence. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the seriousness or importance of something, such as a decision, event, or issue.
Frequency#2492DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of significance is often linked to collectivism, where decisions affecting the group are deemed more important than individual desires. The term 重大 might be used in discussions about national policy or social issues, reflecting the communal values.
Memory Tip
Think of a giant weighing a ton (zhòng) and carrying a big responsibility (dà) on its shoulders; this image captures the weightiness and importance of the word 重大. Visualize this giant making critical decisions that affect many lives, reinforcing the word's meaning.
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AI Study Notes for 重大
Quick Contrast
重要 (zhòngyào) vs 关键 (guānjiàn) — use 重大 for matters of considerable weight, while 重要 emphasizes importance and 关键 highlights critical points.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a giant weighing a ton (zhòng) and carrying a big responsibility (dà) on its shoulders; this image captures the weightiness and importance of the word 重大. Visualize this giant making critical decisions that affect many lives, reinforcing the word's meaning.
Usage Notes
Watch for the tone when pronouncing 重大, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words. It is often used in formal contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions, but can also appear in everyday conversation when discussing important topics.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 重大 connects with other words expressing importance or significance at this level, like 重要 (zhòngyào) and 影响 (yǐngxiǎng). Students should focus on using it in context and recognizing its collocations with verbs and nouns that denote importance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of significance is often linked to collectivism, where decisions affecting the group are deemed more important than individual desires. The term 重大 might be used in discussions about national policy or social issues, reflecting the communal values.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 重大 with 重要 (zhòngyào), thinking they are interchangeable; however, 重大 emphasizes a more serious weight or impact. For example, saying '这件事很重要' (This matter is important) is correct, but if the situation is critical, use '这件事非常重大' to convey the severity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 重大
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Grammar Patterns of 重大
重大 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 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.
Police said there had been a significant development in the case.
6
这些女孩犯下了3个重大的错误。
zhè xiē nǚ hái fàn xià le3 3 gè zhòng dà de cuò。
The girls had made three crucial slip-ups.
7
在一次重大的秘密调查行动中，警察从伦敦就盯上了那帮匪徒。
zài yī cì zhòng dà de mì mì tiáo chá háng dòng zhōng， ， jǐng chá cóng lún dūn jiù dīng shàng le nà bāng fěi。
Officers had tailed the gang from London during a major undercover inquiry.
8
那就是定量研究和定性研究之间的重大差别。
nà jiù shì dìng liáng yán jiū hé dìng xìng yán jiū zhī jiān de zhòng dà chà bié。
That's the whole difference between quantitative and qualitative research.
9
那一年，有两个重大发现。
nà yī nián， ， yǒu liǎng gè zhòng dà fā。
In that year, two momentous discoveries were made.
10
只有在谈判涉及重大问题时叙利亚才会参加。
zhī yǒu zài tán pàn shè jí zhòng dà wèn tí shí xù lì yà cái huì cān jiā。
Syria will attend only if the negotiations deal with issues of substance.
Cultural Notes for 重大
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of significance is often linked to collectivism, where decisions affecting the group are deemed more important than individual desires. The term 重大 might be used in discussions about national policy or social issues, reflecting the communal values.
Frequently Asked Questions about 重大
You can say '这件事对我们来说非常重大' (This matter is very significant for us).
Yes, 重大 is versatile and can be used in both spoken and written contexts, especially in formal discussions.
Yes, it can describe personal matters, but it is more commonly used for issues of broader significance.
