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选手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
选手xuǎnshǒuathleteHSK 5, v, rank #842, Medium
选手xuǎnshǒucontestantHSK 5, v, rank #842, Medium
xuǎnshǒu(xuan3shou3) T3
  1. 1athlete
  2. 2contestant
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March 24, 2026
选手(選手)xuǎnshǒu(xuan3shou3)

选手 (xuǎn shǒu) refers to an athlete or contestant, particularly in competitive sports or events. It is commonly used to describe individuals participating in competitions, such as races or tournaments, highlighting their role as competitors striving for victory.

Frequency#842DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In China, sporting events like the National Games have a significant cultural impact, and 选手 are often seen as representatives of their provinces, embodying local pride. The involvement in sports is also closely tied to education, with many students aspiring to become professional athletes.

Memory Tip

Think of 选 (xuǎn) as 'selecting' someone for a team, and 手 (shǒu) as 'hand,' which can symbolize the hands-on effort athletes put into their practice. Visualize a coach selecting a team of athletes with strong hands ready for action.

Meanings of 选手

xuǎnshǒu(xuan3shou3)
1athlete
2contestant
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 选手

选手Simplified
選手Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#842Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 选手

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Podcast: 选手

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AI Study Notes for 选手

Quick Contrast

运动员 (yùndòngyuán) - use 选手 when emphasizing the competitive aspect of participation in events, while 运动员 is more general for anyone involved in sports.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 选 (xuǎn) as 'selecting' someone for a team, and 手 (shǒu) as 'hand,' which can symbolize the hands-on effort athletes put into their practice. Visualize a coach selecting a team of athletes with strong hands ready for action.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 选手 in contexts specifically related to competition; using it for non-competitive contexts can lead to misunderstandings. It is generally informal, so in formal contexts, you might opt for ‘运动员’ (yùn dòng yuán) instead. Additionally, remember that the tone of '选' is the third tone and '手' is also the third tone, which can be tricky.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 选手 connects well with other terms related to sports and competition. Focus on mastering related vocabulary such as 比赛 (bǐ sài, competition) and 运动 (yùn dòng, sports) to enhance your understanding of contexts in which 选手 is used.

Cultural Note

In China, sporting events like the National Games have a significant cultural impact, and 选手 are often seen as representatives of their provinces, embodying local pride. The involvement in sports is also closely tied to education, with many students aspiring to become professional athletes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 选手 with 运动员 (yùn dòng yuán), which is a broader term for 'athlete.' For instance, saying '他是一个选手在篮球' (Tā shì yīgè xuǎn shǒu zài lánqiú) is incorrect; it should be '他是一名篮球选手' (Tā shì yī míng lánqiú xuǎn shǒu).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 选手

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Component Characters

选xuǎnto choose
HSK 39 strokes辶
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手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
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Write 选手

选
手

Practice writing 选手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 选手

选手 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

一般来说，____参加了比赛是不能退出的。

Generally speaking, once a contestant enters a competition, they cannot withdraw.

Example Sentences for 选手 (10)

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1
肯尼亚的罗伯特·基布是800米决赛入围者中速度最快的选手.

kěn ní yà de luó bó tè· · jī bù800 shì 800 mǐ jué sài rù wéi zhě zhōng sù dù zuì kuài de.

Kenya's Robert Kibe was the fastest qualifier for the 800 metres final.
2
作为一名选手，他毫无私念，真正把自己摆在团队中。

zuò wéi yī míng xuǎn shǒu， ， tā háo wú sī， niàn ， zhēn zhèng bǎ zì jǐ bǎi zài tuán。

As a player he was unselfish, a true team man.
3
理查德·邓伍迪在职业赛马骑师冠军赛中领先其他选手。

lǐ chá dé· · dèng wǔ dí zài zhí yè sài mǎ qí shī guān jūn sài zhōng lǐng xiān qí tā xuǎn。

Richard Dunwoody is in front in the jockeys' title race.
4
他们有一支实力雄厚的队伍和一些出色的选手。

tā mén yǒu yī zhī shí lì xióng hòu de duì wǔ hé yī xiē chū sè de xuǎn shǒu。

They've got a strong squad and some great players.
5
在世界车手锦标赛上，领先选手比瑞典人快一步冲线。

zài shì jiè chē shǒu jǐn biāo sài shàng， ， lǐng xiān xuǎn shǒu bǐ ruì diǎn rén kuài yī bù chōng。

The world drivers' championship leader crossed the line ahead of the Swede.
6
摄像机沿着那排选手移动拍摄。

shè xiàng jī yán zháo nà pái xuǎn shǒu yí dòng pāi shè。

The camera panned along the line of players.
7
他是一名柔道黑带选手，但他说自己强烈反对暴力。

tā shì yī míng róu dào hēi dài xuǎn shǒu， ， dàn tā shuō zì jǐ qiáng liè fǎn duì bào。

He's a judo black belt but he says he deplores violence.
8
她几乎能和任何一名选手一较高下。

tā jī hū néng hé rèn hé yī míng xuǎn shǒu yī jiào gāo xià。

She can hold her own against almost any player.
9
轮椅网球选手可以等球落地两次再击球。

lún yǐ wǎng qiú xuǎn shǒu kě yǐ děng qiú luò dì liǎng cì zài jī qiú。

The wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball.
10
我从小就爱马，曾是一名青少年马术障碍赛选手。

wǒ cóng xiǎo jiù ài mǎ， ， zēng shì yī míng qīng shǎo nián mǎ shù zhàng ài sài xuǎn。

I loved horses as a child and was a junior show jumper.

Cultural Notes for 选手

🏮Cultural insight

In China, sporting events like the National Games have a significant cultural impact, and 选手 are often seen as representatives of their provinces, embodying local pride. The involvement in sports is also closely tied to education, with many students aspiring to become professional athletes.

Frequently Asked Questions about 选手

While it primarily refers to athletes in sports contexts, it can also apply to contestants in other competitive environments, such as talent shows or academic competitions.