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March 24, 2026
出身chūshēn(chu1shen1)
出身 (chūshēn) refers to one's family background or social origin. It is commonly used in discussions about a person's upbringing, class, or heritage, particularly in contexts related to social status or opportunities in life.
Frequency#8077DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, a person's 出身 can significantly influence their social interactions and opportunities, reflecting the importance of family lineage and heritage in societal status.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person '出' (chū) stepping out of a '身' (shēn) that represents their family or heritage. Visualize this person stepping out into the world, carrying their family's legacy, which helps you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 出身
chūshēn(chu1shen1)
1to be born of
2to come from
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 出身
出身Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8077Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 出身
Podcast: 出身
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AI Study Notes for 出身
Quick Contrast
出生 (chūshēng) refers specifically to the act of being born, while 出身 (chūshēn) emphasizes one's social background or origin after birth.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person '出' (chū) stepping out of a '身' (shēn) that represents their family or heritage. Visualize this person stepping out into the world, carrying their family's legacy, which helps you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 出身 with similar terms like 背景 (bèijǐng, background). While 背景 can refer to various aspects of one's life, 出身 specifically emphasizes familial and social origin. It's typically used in more formal contexts, so be mindful of your tone when discussing someone's background.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 出身 connects well with other terms related to social dynamics and family in Chinese. Focus on using it in sentences that relate to discussions of identity or class to strengthen your contextual understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, a person's 出身 can significantly influence their social interactions and opportunities, reflecting the importance of family lineage and heritage in societal status.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 出身 in casual conversations, where 背景 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想了解他的出身' (wǒ xiǎng liǎojiě tā de chūshēn) in a casual setting may sound too formal; use '背景' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 出身
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Grammar Patterns of 出身
出身 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
蒙博托____行伍，通过一级级晋升，最终成为了陆军司令。
Mobutu ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming commander of the army.
Example Sentences for 出身 (10)
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1
蒙博托出身行伍，通过一级级晋升，最终成为了陆军司令。
mēng bó tuō chū shēn háng wǔ， ， tōng guò yī jí jí jìn， shēng ， zuì zhōng chéng wéi le lù jūn。
Mobutu ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming commander of the army.
2
她的家庭出身非常好。
tā de jiā tíng chū shēn fēi cháng hǎo。
She comes of a very good family.
3
他仍然因出身低微而被人无情嘲笑。
tā réng rán yīn chū shēn dī wēi ér bèi rén wú qíng cháo xiào。
He is still the butt of cruel jokes about his humble origins.
4
你必须确保让那些出身不同学科的人一起共事。
nǐ bì xū què bǎo ràng nà xiē chū shēn bù tóng xué kē de rén yī qǐ gòng shì。
You've got to make sure that people work together across disciplines.
5
皮罗尼出身于有钱有势的豪门，这看得出来。
pí luó ní chū shēn yú yǒu qián yǒu shì de háo mén， ， zhè kàn dé chū。
Pironi was the son of privilege and wealth, and it showed.
6
几小时以后她便抽出身来重新开始西行的旅程。
jī xiǎo shí yǐ hòu tā biàn chōu chū shēn lái zhòng xīn kāi shǐ xī háng de lǚ chéng。
Within hours, she was free to resume her journey westward.
When you feel a cold coming on, get into bed and sweat it out.
Cultural Notes for 出身
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, a person's 出身 can significantly influence their social interactions and opportunities, reflecting the importance of family lineage and heritage in societal status.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While in Western cultures, individual merit often overshadows family background, in China, 出身 remains a crucial factor in assessing a person's social standing.
Frequently Asked Questions about 出身
No, 出身 specifically refers to family background or social origin, while 教育背景 (jiàoyù bèijǐng) is used for educational background.
It's primarily used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about social class or heritage.
You can say: 他出生在一个富裕的家庭。(Tā chūshēng zài yīgè fùyù de jiātíng) which means 'He was born into a wealthy family.'
