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March 24, 2026
擅长(擅長)shàncháng(shan4chang2)
擅长 means to be skilled or proficient in a particular area or activity. It is commonly used to express someone's expertise or talent in a specific field, often followed by a noun that indicates what they excel at, such as a subject or a skill.
Frequency#2088DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 擅长 at something is often associated with the value placed on education and mastery, reflecting the importance of diligence and dedication in achieving expertise.
Memory Tip
Think of 擅 (shan) as 'shunning' anything you're not good at, while 长 (chang) sounds like 'long', representing a long journey of mastering a skill. Imagine a person who has shunned mediocrity and taken a long path to become an expert, thus they are '擅长' at their craft.
Meanings of 擅长
shàncháng(shan4chang2)
1to be good at
2to be expert in
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 擅长
擅长Simplified
擅長Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2088Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 擅长
Podcast: 擅长
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AI Study Notes for 擅长
Quick Contrast
熟练 (shúliàn) - use 擅长 when emphasizing a natural talent or expertise, while 熟练 focuses more on proficiency gained through practice.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 擅 (shan) as 'shunning' anything you're not good at, while 长 (chang) sounds like 'long', representing a long journey of mastering a skill. Imagine a person who has shunned mediocrity and taken a long path to become an expert, thus they are '擅长' at their craft.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 擅长 with 能 (neng), which means 'can' or 'able to'. 擅长 is used in a more specific context of expertise. It's typically used in both formal and informal settings, but be mindful of the tone when speaking about someone's skills.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 擅长 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to skills and abilities such as 技能 (jì néng, skill) and 专业 (zhuān yè, specialty). Focus on using 擅长 in sentences that describe talents or areas of expertise.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 擅长 at something is often associated with the value placed on education and mastery, reflecting the importance of diligence and dedication in achieving expertise.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 擅长 with 会 (huì), which means 'to know how to'. For example, saying '我会画画' (Wǒ huì huàhuà) is correct for knowing how to draw, but if you are an expert, you should say '我擅长画画' (Wǒ shàncháng huàhuà).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 擅长
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Grammar Patterns of 擅长
擅长 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他天生____交际：他的祖先曾是封建领主。
Diplomacy was in his blood: his ancestors had been feudal lords.
Example Sentences for 擅长 (10)
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1
他天生擅长交际：他的祖先曾是封建领主。
tā tiān shēng shàn cháng jiāo jì： ： tā de zǔ xiān zēng shì fēng jiàn lǐng。
Diplomacy was in his blood: his ancestors had been feudal lords.
2
他成功的关键在于他擅长逻辑思维。
tā chéng gōng de guān jiàn zài yú tā shàn cháng luó jí sī wéi。
The key to his success is his logical mind.
3
她的嗓音擅长演绎有难度的歌曲。
tā de sǎng yīn shàn cháng yǎn yì yǒu nán dù de gē qū。
Hers is the kind of voice that excels at vocal gymnastics.
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 擅长 at something is often associated with the value placed on education and mastery, reflecting the importance of diligence and dedication in achieving expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions about 擅长
You can say, '我擅长数学' (Wǒ shàncháng shùxué), meaning 'I am good at math.'
Yes, 擅长 specifically indicates proficiency or expertise, so it is used in a positive context.
No, 擅长 implies a high level of skill; for beginners, you might use 学习 (xué xí) meaning 'to learn'.
