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问世 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
问世wènshìto be publishedHSK 7, n, rank #22050, Hard
问世wènshìto come outHSK 7, n, rank #22050, Hard
wènshì(wen4shi4) T4
  1. 1to be published
  2. 2to come out
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March 24, 2026
问世(問世)wènshì(wen4shi4)

问世 refers to the act of something being published or made available to the public. It is commonly used in literary and academic contexts, often associated with books, research papers, or artistic works that are released for the first time.

Frequency#22050DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the release of a significant literary work is often celebrated, reflecting the importance of scholarship and education. For example, the publication of a new novel can lead to discussions in literary circles and social media.

Memory Tip

Think of 问 (wen4) as 'ask' and 世 (shi4) as 'world'. Imagine asking the world a question when a new book is published—it's your chance to share knowledge with everyone. Visualize a book coming out of a door labeled '世界' (world) as it enters the public's view.

Meanings of 问世

wènshì(wen4shi4)
1to be published
2to come out
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 问世

问世Simplified
問世Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#22050Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 问世

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Podcast: 问世

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AI Study Notes for 问世

Quick Contrast

出版 (chūbǎn) vs 问世 (wènshì): Use 问世 for the first-time release of works, while 出版 is more general for any publishing.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 问 (wen4) as 'ask' and 世 (shi4) as 'world'. Imagine asking the world a question when a new book is published—it's your chance to share knowledge with everyone. Visualize a book coming out of a door labeled '世界' (world) as it enters the public's view.

Usage Notes

This term is usually used in formal contexts, especially related to publishing. Common collocations include '问世的书' (a book that has been published) or '问世以来' (since it was published). Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing them can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 问世 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to literature and publication. Students should focus on using it in sentences describing the release of various works and practice its pronunciation to ensure clarity.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the release of a significant literary work is often celebrated, reflecting the importance of scholarship and education. For example, the publication of a new novel can lead to discussions in literary circles and social media.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 问世 with other similar terms like 出版 (chūbǎn), which specifically means 'to publish.' For example, saying '这本书问世了' is correct, while '这本书出版了' is also correct, but not interchangeable with 问世 when discussing first-time releases.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 问世

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Component Characters

wènto ask
HSK 16 strokes
View full entry
shìlife
5 strokes
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Write 问世

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

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Grammar Patterns of 问世

问世 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). 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 1

Complete the Sentence

看到新著作____非常鼓舞人心。

It has been very heartening to see new writing emerging.

Example Sentences for 问世 (1)

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1
看到新著作问世非常鼓舞人心。

kàn dào xīn zhù zuò wèn shì fēi cháng gǔ wǔ rén xīn。

It has been very heartening to see new writing emerging.

Cultural Notes for 问世

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the release of a significant literary work is often celebrated, reflecting the importance of scholarship and education. For example, the publication of a new novel can lead to discussions in literary circles and social media.

Frequently Asked Questions about 问世

You can use 问世 when discussing the publication of books, articles, or any creative work that is being introduced to the public.