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March 24, 2026
众所周知(眾所周知)zhòngsuǒzhōuzhī(zhong4suo3zhou1zhi1)
众所周知 is an idiom that translates to 'as everyone knows' in English. It is used to introduce information that is widely accepted or recognized by the general public. This phrase often precedes a statement that is considered common knowledge.
Frequency#10355DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of collective understanding is significant, and many idioms reflect the value of consensus. 众所周知 underscores the importance of common knowledge in public discourse and social interactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 众 (zhòng) as a crowd, 所 (suǒ) as a place, 周 (zhōu) as surrounding, and 知 (zhī) as knowledge. Imagine a crowd at a place, all surrounding and sharing knowledge that everyone is aware of. This imagery will help you remember the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 众所周知
zhòngsuǒzhōuzhī(zhong4suo3zhou1zhi1)
1as everyone knows (idiom)
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About 众所周知
众所周知Simplified
眾所周知Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#10355Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 众所周知
Podcast: 众所周知
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AI Study Notes for 众所周知
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 众 (zhòng) as a crowd, 所 (suǒ) as a place, 周 (zhōu) as surrounding, and 知 (zhī) as knowledge. Imagine a crowd at a place, all surrounding and sharing knowledge that everyone is aware of. This imagery will help you remember the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use this idiom; it should precede facts or statements that are genuinely common knowledge. Avoid using it in formal writing where you might need to cite sources or provide evidence.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 idiom, 众所周知 connects to other advanced expressions that convey consensus or shared understanding. Focus on using it in discussions about well-known facts or widely accepted opinions to enhance your fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of collective understanding is significant, and many idioms reflect the value of consensus. 众所周知 underscores the importance of common knowledge in public discourse and social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 众所周知 with less formal phrases like 大家都知道 (dà jiā dōu zhī dào). For example, saying '大家都知道这是事实' is less formal than '众所周知这是事实'. Use the former in casual conversation and the latter for more authoritative statements.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 众所周知
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Grammar Patterns of 众所周知
众所周知 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 2 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.
I won't belabour the point, for this is a familiar story.
Cultural Notes for 众所周知
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of collective understanding is significant, and many idioms reflect the value of consensus. 众所周知 underscores the importance of common knowledge in public discourse and social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 众所周知
Use it when you want to introduce information that is well-known or accepted by most people.
It is better suited for spoken language or informal contexts, as it implies a level of assumed knowledge.
No, it should only be used to refer to facts or ideas that are widely recognized.
