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March 24, 2026
传记(傳記)zhuànjì(zhuan4ji4)
传记 (zhuan4 ji4) refers to a biography, which is a detailed account of a person's life, often focusing on their achievements and contributions. It is commonly used in literature and academic contexts, as well as in casual conversation when discussing notable figures. This word emphasizes the storytelling aspect of a person's life, as well as the lessons learned from their experiences.
Frequency#14514DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, biographies often highlight not only achievements but also moral lessons and familial values, reflecting the importance of virtue and legacy in society. Historical figures like Confucius have numerous biographies that illustrate their impact on Chinese thought and culture.
Memory Tip
Think of 传 (zhuan) as 'to pass on' a story and 记 (ji) as 'to record.' Imagine writing down the life story of someone important to you, passing their legacy on through your words. The character 传 looks like a person passing a scroll of their life story, while 记 reminds you of 'keeping records.'
Meanings of 传记
zhuànjì(zhuan4ji4)
1biography
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 传记
传记Simplified
傳記Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#14514Frequency Rank
篇Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 传记
Podcast: 传记
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AI Study Notes for 传记
Quick Contrast
传记 (biography) vs 传说 (legend) — use 传记 for factual life accounts, while 传说 refers to traditional stories often embellished with myth.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 传 (zhuan) as 'to pass on' a story and 记 (ji) as 'to record.' Imagine writing down the life story of someone important to you, passing their legacy on through your words. The character 传 looks like a person passing a scroll of their life story, while 记 reminds you of 'keeping records.'
Usage Notes
Be careful to use the correct measure words when discussing biographies; 传记 is commonly paired with 篇 (piān) for articles or 部 (bù) for larger works. It's more formal than saying 'life story.' Avoid using it in informal contexts where simpler terms might be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 传记 connects well with other literary terms like 小说 (xiǎoshuō, novel) and 散文 (sǎnwén, essay). Focus on the nuances of writing styles and genres when studying this term, and practice using it in sentences about famous figures.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, biographies often highlight not only achievements but also moral lessons and familial values, reflecting the importance of virtue and legacy in society. Historical figures like Confucius have numerous biographies that illustrate their impact on Chinese thought and culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 传记 with 传说 (chuánshuō, legend), which refers to traditional stories rather than factual accounts of lives. Use 传记 when discussing real-life biographies to avoid this confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 传记
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Grammar Patterns of 传记
传记 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). 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
他很久以来一直都想创作一部关于约翰·保罗·琼斯的____作品。
A life of John Paul Jones had long interested him.
A life of John Paul Jones had long interested him.
2
他写了一篇关于克里斯托弗·马洛的推测性传记。
tā xiě le yī piān guān yú kè lǐ sī tuō fú· · mǎ luò de tuī cè xìng chuán。
He has written a speculative biography of Christopher Marlowe.
3
鲍斯韦尔为怀特博士写过一本著名传记.
bào sī wéi ěr wéi huái tè bó shì xiě guò yī běn zhù míng chuán jì.
Boswell wrote a famous biography of Dr. White.
4
这家出版社提高了这部传记的预约稿酬,愿比其竞争对手多付1000元.
zhè jiā chū bǎn shè tí gāo le zhè bù chuán jì de yù yuē gǎo chóu, , yuàn bǐ qí jìng zhēng duì shǒu duō1000 fù.
The publisher upped the ante for the biography by offering 1000 yuan.
Cultural Notes for 传记
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, biographies often highlight not only achievements but also moral lessons and familial values, reflecting the importance of virtue and legacy in society. Historical figures like Confucius have numerous biographies that illustrate their impact on Chinese thought and culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 传记
传记 refers to a biography written by someone else about a person, while 自传 (zìzhuàn) is an autobiography, written by the subject themselves.
Generally, 传记 is reserved for real people; for fictional characters, you might use 角色传记 (juésè zhuànjì) or simply describe their story.
You can say 传记电影 (zhuan4 ji4 dian4 ying3), which combines the word for biography with the word for film.
