Chinese adjectives
How an adjective agrees, where it goes and how it is compared — the grammar for that is in the topics below, and the adjectives themselves come after, sorted by level.
The 596 adjectives in the core vocabulary
Sorted by level, each with an example sentence.
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1 (43)
男maleAdjective1
我们的老师是男的。Our teacher is a man.
Only before a noun or with 的: 男老师, a male teacher.
女femaleAdjective1
女厕所在那儿。The women's toilets are over there.
好吃delicious (food)Adjective1
你做的菜真好吃！Your cooking is really good!
好喝nice to drinkAdjective1
这杯果汁不好喝。This juice doesn't taste nice.
大big; old (in age)Adjective1
这件衣服太大了。This top is too big.
小small; youngAdjective1
这双鞋有点儿小。These shoes are a bit small.
多many; muchAdjective1
他有很多书。He has lots of books.
Before a noun it needs 很: 很多人, many people.
少few; littleAdjective1
这儿的人很少。There are very few people here.
Hardly ever directly before a noun; “few people” is said as “people are few”.
好good; wellAdjective1
今天天气很好。The weather is lovely today.
坏bad; brokenAdjective1
我的手机坏了。My phone is broken.
对right; correctAdjective1
你说得对。You're right.
On its own also an answer: “yes, that's right”.
错wrongAdjective1
这个字写错了。This character has been written wrongly.
不错not bad; pretty goodAdjective1
这家饭馆不错。This restaurant is pretty good.
Literally “not wrong”, and warmer than it sounds.
冷coldAdjective1
外面很冷，多穿点儿。It's cold outside — wrap up warm.
热hotAdjective1
北京的夏天很热。Summers in Beijing are hot.
高tall; highAdjective1
我弟弟比我高。My younger brother is taller than me.
矮short (in height); lowAdjective1
我比我妹妹矮。I'm shorter than my younger sister.
Short in length is 短.
长longAdjective1
这条裤子太长了。These trousers are too long.
As a verb, “to grow”, it is read zhǎng.
短short (in length)Adjective1
她的头发很短。Her hair is very short.
快fast; quickAdjective1
他走得很快。He walks very fast.
慢slowAdjective1
这台电脑太慢了。This computer is far too slow.
早earlyAdjective1
你今天来得很早。You're early today.
On its own also a morning greeting.
晚lateAdjective1
现在太晚了，明天再说吧。It's too late now — let's talk about it tomorrow.
新newAdjective1
我买了一个新手机。I've bought a new phone.
旧old (of things); wornAdjective1
这辆车很旧了。This car is very old now.
For people “old” is 老.
老old (of people)Adjective1
我爷爷老了，走得很慢。My grandpa has grown old and walks slowly.
Before a surname it is a friendly form of address: 老王.
年轻youngAdjective1
我们的老师很年轻。Our teacher is very young.
贵expensive; dearAdjective1
北京的房子很贵。Housing in Beijing is expensive.
便宜cheapAdjective1
这儿的水果很便宜。Fruit is cheap here.
便 here; in 方便, “convenient”, it is read biàn.
忙busyAdjective1
我这几天很忙。I've been very busy these last few days.
累tiredAdjective1
走了一天，我很累。I've been walking all day and I'm tired.
漂亮pretty; beautifulAdjective1
你的衣服真漂亮！What lovely clothes you're wearing!
好看good-looking; good to watchAdjective1
这个电影很好看。This film is very good.
难看uglyAdjective1
这个颜色太难看了。This colour is really ugly.
好听nice to listen toAdjective1
这首歌很好听。This song sounds lovely.
好玩儿funAdjective1
上海很好玩儿。Shanghai is great fun.
可爱cute; lovelyAdjective1
这只小狗真可爱！What a cute little dog!
帅handsomeAdjective1
你哥哥很帅。Your older brother is very handsome.
胖fat; plumpAdjective1
我今年胖了。I've put on weight this year.
瘦thin; slimAdjective1
你瘦了！You've lost weight!
重heavyAdjective1
这个包太重了。This bag is too heavy.
Read chóng in 重新, “again”.
轻light (in weight)Adjective1
这个箱子很轻。This suitcase is very light.
高兴happy, gladAdjective1
妈妈收到花很高兴。Mum was very happy to get the flowers.
2 (83)
晴clear; fine (of the sky)Adjective2
天晴了，我们出去走走吧。It has cleared up. Let's go out for a walk.
阴overcast; cloudyAdjective2
今天有点儿阴，你带伞吧。It is a bit overcast today, so take an umbrella.
暖和warm; pleasantly warmAdjective2
今天比较暖和。It is fairly warm today.
The second syllable is neutral in speech: nuǎnhuo.
凉cool; cold (to the touch)Adjective2
晚上有点儿凉，带件衣服吧。It is a bit cool in the evening. Take something warm to put on.
干dryAdjective2
天气好，衣服很快就干了。In good weather the washing dries quickly.
Read gān; the gàn of “to do” is written with the same character.
滑slipperyAdjective2
下雪以后路很滑，走慢点儿。After snow the roads are slippery, so walk slowly.
远farAdjective2
你家离这儿远吗？Is your home far from here?
近near; closeAdjective2
学校很近，走路十分钟。The school is close, a ten-minute walk.
疼painful; to hurt; to acheAdjective2
哪儿疼？Where does it hurt?
The part that hurts comes first: 牙疼, toothache.
难受unwell; uncomfortable; miserableAdjective2
发烧的时候全身都很难受。When you have a fever, your whole body feels awful.
红redAdjective2
她买了一条红裙子。She bought a red skirt.
The colour of celebration: weddings, the New Year, good news.
黄yellowAdjective2
秋天树叶都黄了。In autumn the leaves all turn yellow.
蓝blueAdjective2
我要那件蓝的。I'll have the blue one.
绿greenAdjective2
春天到了，草绿了。Spring is here, and the grass has turned green.
黑black; darkAdjective2
我的猫是黑的。My cat is black.
白whiteAdjective2
他穿了一件白衬衫。He has a white shirt on.
深dark (of colours); deepAdjective2
我喜欢深蓝色。I like dark blue.
浅light (of colours); shallowAdjective2
这件太深了，有浅一点儿的吗？This one is too dark. Do you have a lighter one?
肥loose; baggy (of clothes)Adjective2
我瘦了，以前的衣服都肥了。I have lost weight, and all my old clothes are too big now.
Of clothes and of meat. Said of a person it is rude; the ordinary word there is 胖.
免费free of chargeAdjective2
买两个，第三个免费。Buy two and get the third free.
划算good value; worth itAdjective2
打五折，真划算！Half price. What a bargain!
甜sweetAdjective2
这个西瓜很甜。This watermelon is very sweet.
咸saltyAdjective2
菜太咸了，少放点儿盐。The food is too salty. Put in less salt.
辣spicy; hotAdjective2
你能吃辣吗？Can you eat spicy food?
When ordering, 不要辣 means "not spicy, please".
酸sourAdjective2
这些葡萄还有点儿酸。These grapes are still a bit sour.
苦bitterAdjective2
这个药很苦。This medicine is very bitter.
香fragrant; smelling good; tastyAdjective2
厨房里什么这么香？What smells so good in the kitchen?
难吃horrible to eat; tasting badAdjective2
这个菜真难吃。This dish is really horrible.
一般usually; ordinaryAdjective2
周末我一般九点起床。At weekends I usually get up at nine.
快乐happy, joyfulAdjective2
孩子们在公园里玩儿得很快乐。The children were having a happy time playing in the park.
Above all in wishes: 生日快乐; for a mood, 高兴 or 开心 is more usual.
开心happy, having funAdjective2
今天玩儿得真开心！We had a really great time today!
愉快pleasant, enjoyableAdjective2
祝你们旅行愉快！Have a pleasant trip!
幸福happy (deeply, lastingly); happinessAdjective2
他们一家人生活得很幸福。Their family lives a happy life.
Lasting happiness with one’s life, not a passing mood.
难过sad, upsetAdjective2
听到这个消息，我很难过。I was very sad to hear the news.
伤心heartbroken, deeply sadAdjective2
小狗丢了，女儿哭得很伤心。The puppy got lost, and my daughter cried her heart out.
烦annoyed; annoyingAdjective2
外面太吵了，真烦！It’s so noisy outside — it’s really annoying!
好笑funny, laughableAdjective2
这有什么好笑的？What’s so funny about that?
吃惊surprised, startledAdjective2
听说他要走，我很吃惊。I was surprised to hear that he’s leaving.
可惜a pity, a shameAdjective2
你没来，真可惜！What a pity you didn’t come!
准时punctual, on timeAdjective2
火车准时出发了。The train left on time.
久long (of time)Adjective2
我很久没见到他了。I haven’t seen him for a long time.
干净cleanAdjective2
房间打扫得很干净。The room has been cleaned really well.
脏dirtyAdjective2
你的手太脏了，快去洗手。Your hands are filthy — go and wash them.
舒服comfortable; feeling wellAdjective2
这双鞋穿着很舒服。These shoes are very comfortable.
Also about the body: 我不舒服, I don’t feel well.
方便convenientAdjective2
住在这儿买东西很方便。Living here, shopping is very convenient.
你现在方便吗？ — is now a good time for you?
安静quiet, calmAdjective2
图书馆里要安静。You have to be quiet in the library.
吵noisyAdjective2
这条街晚上很吵。This street is very noisy at night.
热闹lively, bustlingAdjective2
春节的时候街上很热闹。At Spring Festival the streets are full of life.
Busy and noisy in a good way; 吵 is the unpleasant side.
容易easyAdjective2
这个字很容易写。This character is easy to write.
难difficult, hardAdjective2
汉字难不难？Are Chinese characters hard?
重要importantAdjective2
这件事非常重要。This matter is extremely important.
主要main; mainlyAdjective2
我来北京主要是为了学汉语。I came to Beijing mainly to learn Chinese.
有意思interesting; funAdjective2
这本书很有意思。This book is very interesting.
没意思boring, dullAdjective2
这个电影真没意思。This film is really boring.
有名famous, well knownAdjective2
这家饭馆很有名。This restaurant is very well known.
简单simpleAdjective2
这道题很简单。This question is very simple.
一样the sameAdjective2
我和哥哥一样高。My brother and I are the same height.
Comparing: 跟 … 一样, the same as ….
不同differentAdjective2
每个人的习惯都不同。Everybody’s habits are different.
In speech often 不一样.
清楚clearAdjective2
你说得很清楚。You explained that very clearly.
Also “to know for sure”: 我不清楚, I’m not sure.
好用easy to use, handyAdjective2
这个手机很好用，老人也会用。This phone is easy to use; even older people can manage it.
丑uglyAdjective2
我的字写得很丑。My handwriting is really ugly.
棒great, excellentAdjective2
你的汉语真棒！Your Chinese is great!
厉害impressive; severeAdjective2
她会说五种语言，真厉害！She speaks five languages — that’s impressive!
Also for something bad that is strong: 疼得很厉害, it hurts badly.
软softAdjective2
这个枕头很软。This pillow is very soft.
硬hard, stiffAdjective2
这张床太硬了，我睡不好。This bed is too hard — I can’t sleep well.
厚thickAdjective2
冬天要穿厚衣服。In winter you need to wear thick clothes.
薄thin (of things)Adjective2
这本书很薄，一天就能看完。This book is thin; you can finish it in a day.
Spoken báo; bó in written words.
满fullAdjective2
车上坐满了人。The bus is full.
空emptyAdjective2
冰箱里是空的。The fridge is empty.
kōng “empty”; kòng “free time”, as in 有空.
破broken; torn, worn outAdjective2
我的衣服破了一个洞。There’s a hole in my shirt.
有用usefulAdjective2
这本词典对我很有用。This dictionary is very useful to me.
够enoughAdjective2
钱够不够？Is there enough money?
正确correct, rightAdjective2
你的答案是正确的。Your answer is correct.
亮brightAdjective2
这个灯太亮了。This lamp is too bright.
Also a verb, “to light up”: 灯亮了.
挤crowdedAdjective2
早上的地铁特别挤。The underground is really crowded in the mornings.
乱messy, untidyAdjective2
你的桌子怎么这么乱？Why is your desk such a mess?
臭smelly, stinkingAdjective2
垃圾太臭了，快扔了吧。The rubbish stinks — throw it out.
整齐tidy, neatAdjective2
他的房间总是很整齐。His room is always tidy.
急urgent; in a hurry; impatientAdjective2
别急，慢慢说。Don’t rush — take your time and tell me.
Being worried and impatient about something is 着急.
麻烦troublesome; to troubleAdjective2
办签证很麻烦。Getting a visa is a lot of hassle.
Also a polite request: 麻烦你了, sorry to trouble you.
饱full (after eating)Adjective2
我吃饱了，谢谢。I'm full, thank you.
Usually as a result after the verb: 吃饱, eat your fill.
饿hungryAdjective2
我早上没吃饭，现在饿死了。I didn't have breakfast and now I'm starving.
饿死了, “hungry to death”, is everyday exaggeration.
渴thirstyAdjective2
走了这么久，我有点儿渴了。After walking so long, I'm a bit thirsty.
3 (138)
满意satisfied; pleasedAdjective3
老板对这次的结果很满意。The boss is very pleased with the result this time.
失望disappointedAdjective3
比赛输了，球迷们都很失望。The team lost the match, and the fans were all disappointed.
Also a verb: 别让我失望, don't let me down.
感动moved; touchedAdjective3
这个故事让我很感动。This story really moved me.
激动excited; overcome with emotionAdjective3
听到这个消息，她激动得哭了。When she heard the news, she was so overcome that she cried.
Strong feeling of any kind; happy anticipation is 兴奋.
紧张nervous; tenseAdjective3
第一次上台唱歌，我特别紧张。The first time I sang on stage, I was really nervous.
Also for a tight situation: 时间很紧张, time is short.
着急anxious; in a hurryAdjective3
别着急，我们还有时间。Don't worry, we still have time.
Here 着 is read zháo, not zhe.
骄傲proud; arrogantAdjective3
孩子考上了大学，父母为他感到骄傲。Their son got into university and his parents are proud of him.
Proud of someone is 为…骄傲; said of a person's manner, it means arrogant.
兴奋excitedAdjective3
明天要去海边，孩子们兴奋得睡不着。We're off to the seaside tomorrow, and the children are too excited to sleep.
不满dissatisfied; discontentAdjective3
顾客对这家店的服务很不满。Customers are very unhappy with the service in this shop.
Also a noun: 表示不满, to express dissatisfaction.
心烦upset; irritatedAdjective3
楼上一直在装修，吵得我很心烦。The flat upstairs is being done up nonstop, and the noise is getting on my nerves.
意外unexpected; surprisedAdjective3
在这儿见到你，真意外！What a surprise to see you here!
As a noun it is an accident: 出意外, to have an accident.
得意pleased with oneselfAdjective3
考了第一名，他很得意。He came top in the exam and is very pleased with himself.
Often a little smug: 别太得意, don't get cocky.
乐意glad to; willingAdjective3
有什么事就找我，我很乐意帮忙。If you need anything, just ask — I'm happy to help.
Here 乐 is lè, not yuè as in 音乐.
痛快delighted; to one's heart's contentAdjective3
今天在海里游了一个下午，真痛快！We swam in the sea all afternoon today — it was wonderful!
Also of a person: quick and frank, 他很痛快地答应了.
灰心discouraged; to lose heartAdjective3
一次没考好，别灰心。Don't lose heart over one bad exam.
好奇curiousAdjective3
孩子对什么都很好奇。Children are curious about everything.
Here 好 is hào, as in 爱好.
自豪proudAdjective3
能为家乡做点儿事，我感到很自豪。I feel proud to be able to do something for my hometown.
Always positive, unlike 骄傲, which can also mean arrogant.
冷静calm; level-headedAdjective3
遇到问题的时候，要先冷静下来。When you run into a problem, calm down first.
轻松relaxed; easyAdjective3
考完试以后，我觉得很轻松。After the exams were over, I felt very relaxed.
不安uneasy; restlessAdjective3
他一直没回消息，我心里有点儿不安。He still hasn't replied, and I feel a little uneasy.
热情warm; welcoming; enthusiasticAdjective3
这里的人对客人很热情。People here are very welcoming to visitors.
认真conscientious; seriousAdjective3
她做事非常认真。She does everything very conscientiously.
Taking a task seriously and doing it carefully — praise, not “solemn”.
聪明clever; brightAdjective3
这个孩子很聪明，一学就会。This child is very bright and picks things up straight away.
马虎careless; sloppyAdjective3
你太马虎了，又把名字写错了。You're so careless — you've written the name wrong again.
幽默humorous; funnyAdjective3
我们的老师很幽默，上课很有意思。Our teacher is very funny, and the lessons are great fun.
A loanword from English “humour”.
诚实honestAdjective3
他是一个诚实的人，从来不说谎。He is an honest person who never lies.
勇敢braveAdjective3
小男孩很勇敢，打针的时候没哭。The little boy was very brave and didn't cry when he had his injection.
害羞shyAdjective3
她有点儿害羞，不敢跟陌生人说话。She is a bit shy and doesn't dare talk to strangers.
善良kind-hearted; goodAdjective3
奶奶是一个非常善良的人。Grandma is an extremely kind-hearted person.
友好friendlyAdjective3
新同事们对我都很友好。My new colleagues are all very friendly to me.
活泼lively; full of lifeAdjective3
他们的女儿又活泼又可爱。Their daughter is lively and sweet.
Mostly said of children and young people.
内向introverted; reservedAdjective3
我比较内向，不太喜欢热闹。I'm rather reserved and don't much like crowds and noise.
外向outgoingAdjective3
哥哥很外向，到哪儿都能交到朋友。My elder brother is very outgoing and makes friends wherever he goes.
懒lazyAdjective3
他太懒了，周末总是睡到中午。He is so lazy — at weekends he always sleeps until noon.
勤奋hard-working; diligentAdjective3
她很勤奋，每天学习到很晚。She is very diligent and studies until late every day.
笨stupid; clumsyAdjective3
我真笨，这么简单的题都做错了。How stupid of me — I got even such an easy question wrong.
Fine about yourself; about somebody else it is rude.
老实honest; well-behavedAdjective3
他很老实，不会骗人。He's a straightforward sort and wouldn't cheat anyone.
Can also hint at “too simple”: honest but not very quick.
细心careful; attentiveAdjective3
护士很细心，从来没出过错。The nurse is very careful and has never made a mistake.
The opposite of 粗心, careless.
乐观optimisticAdjective3
虽然生病了，他还是很乐观。Although he is ill, he is still very optimistic.
悲观pessimisticAdjective3
别那么悲观，事情会好起来的。Don't be so pessimistic — things will get better.
严格strictAdjective3
我妈妈对我要求很严格。My mum is very strict with me.
严肃serious; sternAdjective3
新经理看起来很严肃。The new manager looks very stern.
客气polite; courteousAdjective3
他对谁都很客气。He is polite to everyone.
别客气 means “make yourself at home” or “don't mention it”.
热心warm-hearted; eager to helpAdjective3
楼下的阿姨很热心，常常帮我们收快递。The lady downstairs is very helpful and often takes in our parcels.
懂事sensible; mature (of a child)Adjective3
这孩子很懂事，知道帮妈妈做家务。This child is very sensible and knows to help Mum with the housework.
调皮naughty; mischievousAdjective3
弟弟小时候特别调皮。My little brother was very naughty as a child.
Here 调 is tiáo; often said with affection.
独立independentAdjective3
她十八岁就开始独立生活了。She started living independently at eighteen.
成熟mature; grown-upAdjective3
工作几年以后，他成熟多了。After a few years of working, he has grown up a lot.
Also of fruit: ripe.
胆小timid; easily scaredAdjective3
我很胆小，晚上不敢一个人出门。I'm quite timid and don't dare go out alone at night.
能干capable; ableAdjective3
新来的同事很能干。The new colleague is very capable.
随和easy-goingAdjective3
我的室友很随和，吃什么都行。My flatmate is very easy-going — happy to eat anything.
爽快straightforward; frankAdjective3
老板很爽快，马上就同意了。The boss was very straightforward and agreed right away.
熟悉familiar; to know wellAdjective3
我们在一起工作了十年，互相很熟悉。We have worked together for ten years and know each other very well.
Also for places: 熟悉环境, to get to know one's surroundings.
亲密close; intimateAdjective3
她们是最亲密的朋友。They are the closest of friends.
单身single; unmarriedAdjective3
我哥哥三十岁了，还是单身。My elder brother is thirty and still single.
健康healthy; healthAdjective3
爷爷八十岁了，身体还很健康。Grandpa is eighty and still in very good health.
近视short-sightedAdjective3
我有点儿近视，看不清楚黑板。I'm a bit short-sighted and can't see the board clearly.
头晕dizzyAdjective3
我站起来的时候有点儿头晕。I feel a bit dizzy when I stand up.
恶心nauseous; disgustingAdjective3
坐船的时候我觉得有点儿恶心。I felt a little sick on the boat.
Also “disgusting”, of things and of behaviour.
痒itchyAdjective3
被蚊子咬了，腿上很痒。I've been bitten by a mosquito and my leg really itches.
肿swollenAdjective3
他的脚肿了，走不了路。His foot is swollen and he can't walk.
拥挤crowdedAdjective3
节日的时候火车站非常拥挤。The railway station is extremely crowded at holiday time.
More formal than 挤.
繁华bustling; thrivingAdjective3
这条街是城里最繁华的地方。This street is the busiest part of town.
有钱rich; well offAdjective3
他家很有钱，可是他一点儿也不骄傲。His family is very well off, but he isn't the least bit arrogant.
穷poorAdjective3
他小时候家里很穷。His family was very poor when he was a child.
一次性disposable; one-offAdjective3
很多饭馆已经不用一次性筷子了。Many restaurants no longer use disposable chopsticks.
微辣mildly spicyAdjective3
我不太能吃辣，要微辣的。I can't take much spice — I'd like it mild.
The usual scale on a menu is 微辣, 中辣, 特辣.
难喝unpleasant to drinkAdjective3
这杯咖啡又苦又难喝。This coffee is bitter and horrible.
精彩brilliant; wonderful (to watch or hear)Adjective3
演出非常精彩，观众一直在鼓掌。The show was brilliant, and the audience kept applauding.
搞笑funny; hilariousAdjective3
他发给我一个特别搞笑的视频。He sent me a really funny video.
Informal.
全职full-timeAdjective3
孩子上小学以后，她又开始全职工作了。Once the child started primary school, she went back to working full-time.
合理reasonable; sensibleAdjective3
你的要求很合理，我同意。Your request is reasonable; I agree.
安全safe; safetyAdjective3
这个小区晚上也很安全。This neighbourhood is safe even at night.
危险dangerous; dangerAdjective3
在河边玩很危险，快回来！It is dangerous to play by the river — come back at once!
正常normalAdjective3
医生说检查结果都正常。The doctor said all the test results were normal.
特别special; unusual; especiallyAdjective3
她的声音很特别，一听就知道是她。Her voice is very distinctive; you know it is her the moment you hear it.
Before an adjective it means “especially”: 特别好.
严重serious; severeAdjective3
他的感冒越来越严重了。His cold is getting worse and worse.
奇怪strange; oddAdjective3
真奇怪，他今天怎么没来？How strange — why has he not come today?
普通ordinary; commonAdjective3
我只是一个普通的上班族。I am just an ordinary office worker.
新鲜freshAdjective3
这些鱼是早上刚买的，很新鲜。This fish was only bought this morning; it is very fresh.
Also of air, and of anything new: 新鲜空气.
流利fluentAdjective3
她在中国住了五年，中文说得很流利。She lived in China for five years and speaks fluent Chinese.
合适suitable; the right (size, time)Adjective3
这双鞋大小正合适。These shoes are exactly the right size.
An adjective; the verb “to suit” is 适合.
必要necessary; needAdjective3
没有必要为这点儿小事生气。There is no need to get angry over such a small thing.
准确accurate; exactAdjective3
天气预报不一定准确。The weather forecast is not always accurate.
仔细careful; thoroughAdjective3
签字以前请仔细看一下。Please read it carefully before you sign.
可怕frightening; terribleAdjective3
昨天晚上我做了一个可怕的梦。Last night I had a frightening dream.
真实true; real; authenticAdjective3
这部电影讲的是一个真实的故事。This film tells a true story.
明亮bright; well-litAdjective3
新教室又大又明亮。The new classroom is big and bright.
唯一only; soleAdjective3
他是我们班唯一会说日语的人。He is the only person in our class who can speak Japanese.
真正real; true; genuineAdjective3
真正的朋友在你困难的时候会帮你。A true friend helps you when things are hard.
Only before a noun or a verb, never at the end of a sentence.
实际realistic; practical; actual; realityAdjective3
这个计划不太实际。This plan is not very realistic.
相同the same; identicalAdjective3
这两个字读音相同，意思不同。These two characters sound the same but mean different things.
More written than 一样.
顺利smooth; without a hitchAdjective3
今天的面试很顺利。Today’s interview went smoothly.
As a wish: 一切顺利, “all the best”.
宽wide; broadAdjective3
新修的马路又宽又直。The newly built road is wide and straight.
窄narrowAdjective3
这条胡同太窄了，只能骑自行车。This alley is too narrow; you can only get down it by bike.
尖pointed; sharp (at the tip)Adjective3
小心，这把刀很尖。Careful, this knife has a very sharp point.
Sharp at the tip; a sharp blade is 快.
结实sturdy; solid; strongly builtAdjective3
这个箱子很结实，用了十年还没坏。This suitcase is very sturdy; I have used it for ten years and it is still not broken.
Also of a person: strong and solidly built. 结 is read jiē here.
粗thick (of something long); coarseAdjective3
这支笔太粗了，写小字不方便。This pen is too thick to write small characters with.
Thick like a rope or a branch; thick like a book is 厚.
细thin (of something long); fine; detailedAdjective3
她的手指又细又长。Her fingers are long and slender.
Thin like a thread; thin like paper is 薄, a thin person 瘦.
圆roundAdjective3
今天晚上的月亮又大又圆。The moon is big and round tonight.
平flat; level; evenAdjective3
这条路不平，骑车要小心。This road is uneven; take care when you cycle.
直straightAdjective3
请把线画得直一点儿。Please draw the line a bit straighter.
Also “straight on”: 直走.
暗dark; dimAdjective3
房间里太暗了，开个灯吧。It is too dark in the room; let’s put a light on.
Not enough light; the dark of night is 黑.
优秀outstanding; excellentAdjective3
她是我们班最优秀的学生。She is the best student in our class.
著名famous; well-knownAdjective3
西湖是杭州最著名的地方。West Lake is the most famous place in Hangzhou.
More written than 有名.
辛苦hard; tiring; toilsomeAdjective3
你每天这么早起床，太辛苦了。You get up so early every day — it must be exhausting.
辛苦了 is also a way of thanking someone for their effort.
美好happy; fine; beautiful (of times and hopes)Adjective3
大学四年给我留下了很多美好的回忆。Four years at university left me with many happy memories.
For times, memories and hopes rather than for objects.
正式formal; officialAdjective3
明天的晚会很正式，你得穿西装。Tomorrow’s party is formal; you will have to wear a suit.
高级high-class; upmarket; advancedAdjective3
这家酒店很高级，房间也很贵。This hotel is very upmarket, and the rooms are expensive too.
Also “advanced” for a course or a level: 高级班.
糊涂muddled; confused; sillyAdjective3
我真糊涂，又把钥匙忘在家里了。How silly of me — I have left my keys at home again.
共同common; shared; togetherAdjective3
我们俩有很多共同的爱好。The two of us have a lot of hobbies in common.
Shared by both; 相同 means merely alike.
合格up to standard; qualifiedAdjective3
这台电脑检查过了，质量合格。This computer has been checked and meets the quality standard.
温暖warm; mildAdjective3
南方的冬天比较温暖。Winters in the south are fairly mild.
More written than 暖和, and also used of a welcome or a feeling.
凉快pleasantly coolAdjective3
晚上下了一场雨，凉快多了。It rained in the evening, and now it is much cooler.
Always pleasant; cold that is unpleasant is 冷.
寒冷cold; frigidAdjective3
这个地方的冬天又长又寒冷。Winter in this place is long and bitterly cold.
Descriptive and written; in conversation people say 很冷.
炎热scorching hotAdjective3
七月是一年里最炎热的时候。July is the hottest time of the year.
Written; in conversation 很热.
闷热hot and stuffy; muggyAdjective3
要下雨之前，天气常常很闷热。Before it rains, the weather is often very muggy.
闷 in the first tone means stuffy; in the fourth tone it means bored or low.
潮湿damp; humidAdjective3
南方的春天又冷又潮湿。Spring in the south is cold and damp.
干燥dryAdjective3
北方的冬天很干燥，很少下雨。Winters in the north are dry, and it seldom rains.
晴朗clear; sunnyAdjective3
雨停了，天空又变得晴朗了。The rain has stopped, and the sky is clear again.
多云cloudyAdjective3
明天多云，不会下雨。Tomorrow will be cloudy, but it will not rain.
A forecast word: 晴, 多云 and 阴 run from clear to overcast.
湿wetAdjective3
地很湿，走路小心点儿。The ground is wet, so watch your step.
自然natural; naturallyAdjective3
她说汉语说得很自然。She speaks Chinese very naturally.
For nature as a noun, people more often say 大自然.
野生wild; growing wildAdjective3
这些花都是野生的，不是谁种的。These flowers are all wild; nobody planted them.
天然natural; not made by peopleAdjective3
这个湖是天然的，不是人挖的。This lake is natural; it was not dug by people.
天然 means not man-made; 自然 also means unforced.
美丽beautifulAdjective3
这里的风景非常美丽。The scenery here is very beautiful.
More written than 漂亮; used above all of places and landscapes.
在线onlineAdjective3
我每天晚上在线学汉语。I study Chinese online every evening.
宽敞spacious; roomyAdjective3
新家比以前的宽敞多了。The new home is much roomier than the old one.
舒适comfortableAdjective3
这家酒店的房间又干净又舒适。The rooms in this hotel are clean and comfortable.
Said of places and things; how a person feels is 舒服.
合身(of clothes) to fit wellAdjective3
这套西装很合身，像是给你做的。This suit fits you perfectly, as if it had been made for you.
松looseAdjective3
这条裤子有点儿松，得系皮带。These trousers are a bit loose; I need a belt.
紧tightAdjective3
这双鞋太紧了，走路很不舒服。These shoes are too tight; walking in them is very uncomfortable.
时髦fashionable; stylishAdjective3
她奶奶穿得比她还时髦。Her grandmother dresses even more stylishly than she does.
熟cooked; done; ripeAdjective3
肉还没熟，再等五分钟。The meat isn’t done yet — wait another five minutes.
Often said shóu in everyday speech.
生raw; uncookedAdjective3
这种鱼可以生吃。This kind of fish can be eaten raw.
淡bland; not salty enough; weak (of tea)Adjective3
汤有点儿淡，再加点儿盐吧。The soup is a bit bland — add a little more salt.
倒霉unlucky; what bad luckAdjective3
真倒霉，我的手机丢了。What bad luck — I’ve lost my phone.
复杂complicated; complexAdjective3
这个问题比我想的复杂得多。This problem is much more complicated than I thought.
4 (168)
平等equal; equalityAdjective4
在法律面前人人平等。Everyone is equal before the law.
自由free; freedomAdjective4
离开家以后，他觉得很自由。After leaving home he felt very free.
团结united; to unite; to stick togetherAdjective4
我们班同学很团结，大家互相帮助。Our class sticks together — everyone helps one another.
贫穷poor; povertyAdjective4
他小时候家里很贫穷。His family was very poor when he was little.
More formal than 穷.
富裕well-off; prosperousAdjective4
这个地方以前很穷，现在富裕起来了。This place used to be poor, but it has become well-off.
公共publicAdjective4
在公共场所不能抽烟。Smoking is not allowed in public places.
发达developed; advancedAdjective4
沿海地区的交通比较发达。Transport in the coastal regions is fairly well developed.
国产made in this country; domesticAdjective4
现在很多人买国产手机。Many people now buy domestically made phones.
国际internationalAdjective4
这个城市每年都举办国际电影节。This city holds an international film festival every year.
合法legal; lawfulAdjective4
在这个国家，满十八岁开车才合法。In this country, driving is only legal once you are eighteen.
非法illegal; unlawfulAdjective4
在这条河里钓鱼是非法的。Fishing in this river is illegal.
环保environmentally friendly; environmental protectionAdjective4
用布袋买菜比较环保。Shopping with a cloth bag is better for the environment.
Short for 环境保护.
二手second-handAdjective4
我的自行车是在网上买的二手车。My bike is a second-hand one that I bought online.
有害harmfulAdjective4
抽烟对身体有害。Smoking is harmful to your health.
低碳low-carbonAdjective4
骑自行车上班是一种低碳的生活方式。Cycling to work is a low-carbon way of life.
绿色green; environmentally friendlyAdjective4
现在越来越多的人选择绿色出行。More and more people now choose green ways of getting around.
Besides the colour, a label for anything environmentally friendly.
有限limitedAdjective4
停车位有限，最好坐地铁来。Parking spaces are limited, so it’s best to come by underground.
清洁cleanAdjective4
风能是一种清洁能源。Wind power is a clean source of energy.
More formal than 干净.
无线wirelessAdjective4
这家咖啡馆有免费的无线网络。This café has free wireless internet.
自动automatic; automaticallyAdjective4
门会自动打开，不用推。The door opens automatically; you don’t need to push it.
必修compulsory (course)Adjective4
英语是大一的必修课。English is a compulsory course in the first year.
突发sudden; breaking (of news)Adjective4
有突发新闻的时候，记者要马上出发。When there is breaking news, reporters have to set off at once.
公开public, open; to make publicAdjective4
会议的内容还没有公开。What was said at the meeting has not been made public yet.
及时timely; promptlyAdjective4
这条消息来得很及时。This news came just at the right time.
客观objectiveAdjective4
好的报道应该客观，不能只听一方的话。A good report should be objective and not listen to only one side.
均衡balancedAdjective4
每顿饭都要有肉有菜，营养才均衡。Every meal should have both meat and vegetables; only then is it nutritionally balanced.
肥胖obese; obesityAdjective4
孩子肥胖的问题越来越受关注。Childhood obesity is getting more and more attention.
A medical, written word; in conversation 胖.
疲劳fatigue; tiredAdjective4
连续开四个小时车很容易疲劳。Driving four hours without a break makes you tired very easily.
Written and medical; in conversation 累.
适量in moderation; the right amountAdjective4
咖啡可以喝，但是要适量。You can drink coffee, but in moderation.
过度excessive; to excessAdjective4
运动过度反而对身体不好。Too much exercise is actually bad for you.
长寿long-lived; longevityAdjective4
这个村子的人都很长寿。People in this village all live to a great age.
遗憾regrettable; a pityAdjective4
很遗憾，这次你不能来。It’s a real pity you can’t come this time.
委屈wronged, hard done byAdjective4
他没做错事却被批评了，心里很委屈。He was criticised though he had done nothing wrong, and felt badly wronged.
痛苦painful; pain, sufferingAdjective4
和最好的朋友分开让她很痛苦。Being parted from her best friend was very painful for her.
孤独lonely, aloneAdjective4
刚到国外的时候，我常常觉得很孤独。When I first went abroad, I often felt very lonely.
尴尬awkward, embarrassedAdjective4
我叫错了老板的名字，真尴尬。I called the boss by the wrong name — so embarrassing.
无聊bored; boringAdjective4
这部电影太无聊了，我看了一半就睡着了。This film was so boring that I fell asleep halfway through.
惭愧ashamed (of falling short)Adjective4
父母为我做了那么多，我却很少回家，真惭愧。My parents have done so much for me, yet I rarely go home — I feel ashamed.
惊讶surprised, astonishedAdjective4
他中文说得这么好，大家都很惊讶。Everyone was amazed that he spoke Chinese so well.
悲伤sad, sorrowfulAdjective4
这首歌听起来很悲伤。This song sounds very sad.
寂寞lonely (for want of company)Adjective4
孩子们都去外地工作了，老两口有点儿寂寞。The children have all gone to work elsewhere, and the old couple feel a bit lonely.
Lonely for want of company and things to do; 孤独 is the deeper sense of being alone in the world.
不耐烦impatientAdjective4
等了一个小时，他开始不耐烦了。After waiting an hour, he began to grow impatient.
烦躁irritable, restlessAdjective4
天太热，人很容易烦躁。When it’s this hot, people get irritable easily.
惊慌alarmed, panic-strickenAdjective4
着火的时候千万不要惊慌。If there is a fire, whatever you do, don’t panic.
Alarm at danger; 慌张 is being flustered and showing it.
慌张flustered, in a panicAdjective4
别慌张，慢慢说，到底发生了什么事？Don’t panic — tell me slowly what actually happened.
平静calm, peacefulAdjective4
不管发生什么事，他总是很平静。Whatever happens, he always stays calm.
难为情embarrassed, shyAdjective4
当着这么多人唱歌，我有点儿难为情。I feel a bit embarrassed singing in front of so many people.
为 is wéi here.
郁闷down, fed upAdjective4
周末又要加班，真郁闷。Working overtime again this weekend — it’s really getting me down.
Colloquial.
气愤indignant, outragedAdjective4
看到有人欺负小孩子，大家都很气愤。Everyone was outraged to see someone bullying a small child.
心软soft-heartedAdjective4
妈妈心软，孩子一哭她就答应了。Mum is soft-hearted; as soon as the child cries, she gives in.
安心at ease, with one’s mind at restAdjective4
知道你平安到了，我就安心了。Now that I know you’ve arrived safely, my mind is at rest.
失落low, crestfallenAdjective4
输了比赛，他一个人坐在那儿，看起来很失落。After losing the match he sat there alone, looking crestfallen.
内疚guilty, conscience-strickenAdjective4
忘了朋友的生日，我很内疚。I forgot my friend’s birthday and feel really guilty.
痛心grieved, deeply painedAdjective4
看到美丽的河变得这么脏，老人们都很痛心。The old people were deeply pained to see the lovely river become so dirty.
心酸sad, heartbrokenAdjective4
听她讲小时候的苦日子，我很心酸。Hearing her talk about the hard days of her childhood made me sad.
压抑oppressive, stifling; to hold backAdjective4
房间又小又暗，住在里面让人觉得很压抑。The room is small and dark; living in it feels very oppressive.
恼火annoyed, irritatedAdjective4
邻居每天晚上都很吵，让人很恼火。The neighbours are noisy every night, which is really infuriating.
谦虚modestAdjective4
他钢琴弹得很好，但总是很谦虚。He plays the piano very well but is always modest about it.
自信self-confidentAdjective4
面试的时候要自信一点儿。Be a bit more confident in the interview.
自私selfishAdjective4
只想着自己的人太自私了。People who only think of themselves are too selfish.
大方generous; natural, at easeAdjective4
她对朋友很大方，常常请大家吃饭。She is generous with her friends and often treats everyone to a meal.
小气stingy, meanAdjective4
他太小气了，连一杯咖啡都不愿意请。He’s so stingy he won’t even buy you a coffee.
粗心carelessAdjective4
我太粗心了，又把钥匙忘在家里了。I’m so careless — I’ve left my keys at home again.
懒惰lazy, idleAdjective4
懒惰的人总是把今天的事留到明天。Lazy people always leave today’s work until tomorrow.
The written word; in conversation 懒.
坚强strong (in character), resilientAdjective4
生病以后她一直很坚强，从来没哭过。Since falling ill she has stayed strong and has never once cried.
温柔gentle, tenderAdjective4
她跟孩子说话的时候总是很温柔。She always speaks gently to children.
勤劳hard-workingAdjective4
这里的农民非常勤劳，天不亮就下地了。The farmers here are very hard-working and are out in the fields before dawn.
节俭thriftyAdjective4
我父母过日子很节俭，从来不浪费粮食。My parents live very thriftily and never waste food.
宽容tolerant, forgivingAdjective4
他对别人很宽容，对自己却很严格。He is forgiving towards others but strict with himself.
小心眼petty, easily offendedAdjective4
别这么小心眼，他不是故意的。Don’t be so petty — he didn’t mean it.
Not “careful”: 小心 is careful, but a small “heart’s eye” takes offence easily.
要强eager to excel, drivenAdjective4
她从小就很要强，什么事都想做到最好。She has been driven since childhood and wants to do everything as well as it can be done.
倔强stubborn, unbendingAdjective4
这孩子很倔强，认准的事谁劝也没用。This child is stubborn — once his mind is made up, nobody can talk him round.
强 is jiàng here, not qiáng.
虚心open-minded, willing to learnAdjective4
他工作了很多年，还是很虚心地向年轻人学习。Although he has worked for many years, he is still willing to learn from younger people.
Open to learning from others; 谦虚 is modest about oneself.
温和mild, gentle (in temperament)Adjective4
我爷爷性格温和，很少跟人吵架。My grandfather has a mild temperament and seldom quarrels with anyone.
Mild by temperament, and of a climate too; 温柔 is gentle and tender towards someone.
主动on one’s own initiative, proactiveAdjective4
遇到问题他总是主动去解决。When a problem comes up, he always deals with it on his own initiative.
被动passiveAdjective4
别总是被动地等别人安排。Don’t always wait passively for others to arrange things.
直爽frank, straightforwardAdjective4
她性格直爽，有什么说什么。She is frank by nature and says exactly what she thinks.
挑剔fussy, pickyAdjective4
他吃东西很挑剔，这也不吃，那也不吃。He is very fussy about food — he won’t eat this, he won’t eat that.
狡猾cunning, slyAdjective4
故事里的狐狸又聪明又狡猾。The fox in the story is clever and sly.
敏感sensitiveAdjective4
她很敏感，别人随便说一句话她都要想很久。She is very sensitive; she will brood for ages over a passing remark.
粗鲁rude, coarseAdjective4
他对服务员说话那么粗鲁，真让人生气。The rude way he spoke to the waiter was really infuriating.
好客hospitableAdjective4
他们一家人非常好客，每次都留我吃饭。Their whole family is very hospitable and always keeps me for a meal.
好 is hào here, “to be fond of”, as in 爱好.
守时punctualAdjective4
他很守时，约会从来没迟到过。He is very punctual and has never been late for an appointment.
诚恳sincereAdjective4
他的道歉很诚恳，我就原谅他了。His apology was sincere, so I forgave him.
可靠reliableAdjective4
把这件事交给她吧，她很可靠。Leave this to her — she is very reliable.
幼稚childish, naiveAdjective4
都三十岁了，还这么幼稚。You’re thirty and still so childish.
任性wilful, headstrongAdjective4
孩子太任性，想要什么就一定要买。The child is too headstrong — whatever he wants, he insists on having it.
体贴considerate, caringAdjective4
他对妻子非常体贴，家务抢着做。He is very considerate towards his wife and is always first to do the housework.
傲慢arrogantAdjective4
他态度傲慢，同事们都不喜欢他。He has an arrogant manner, and none of his colleagues like him.
天真innocent, naiveAdjective4
孩子的问题很天真，却常常很难回答。Children’s questions are innocent, yet often hard to answer.
古老ancient, age-oldAdjective4
这条古老的街已经有几百年了。This old street has been here for several hundred years.
悠久long-standing (of history)Adjective4
这个小镇有悠久的历史。This little town has a long history.
Almost always with 历史 or 传统.
准点on timeAdjective4
这趟车一般都很准点。This train is usually right on time.
Measure word for a train or bus service: 趟.
随身carried on one’s personAdjective4
护照一定要随身带着。Always keep your passport on you.
实惠good value, economicalAdjective4
这家饭馆的菜又好吃又实惠。The food at this restaurant is tasty and good value.
坚固sturdy; solidAdjective4
这座桥建得非常坚固。This bridge is very solidly built.
积极positive; active; keenAdjective4
他上课的时候总是积极回答问题。He always answers questions keenly in class.
Of attitude, effort and effects; a positive test result is 阳性.
消极negative; passiveAdjective4
别总是用消极的态度看问题。Don't always look at things so negatively.
明显obvious; clear; noticeableAdjective4
她最近明显瘦了。She has clearly lost weight recently.
详细detailedAdjective4
请你详细地说一下事情的经过。Please tell me in detail what happened.
稳定stable; steadyAdjective4
他想找一份收入稳定的工作。He wants to find a job with a steady income.
激烈fierce; intense (competition, debate)Adjective4
今天的比赛非常激烈。Today's match was very hard-fought.
广泛wide-ranging; widespreadAdjective4
他的兴趣很广泛。He has a wide range of interests.
丰富rich; abundant; variedAdjective4
这位老师的经验非常丰富。This teacher has a wealth of experience.
深刻deep; profoundAdjective4
这次旅行给我留下了深刻的印象。This trip made a deep impression on me.
具体concrete; specificAdjective4
你能说得具体一点儿吗？Could you be a little more specific?
抽象abstractAdjective4
这幅画太抽象了，我完全不明白。This painting is too abstract; I don't understand it at all.
基本basic; fundamentalAdjective4
这是做菜最基本的方法。This is the most basic cooking method.
普遍common; widespread; generalAdjective4
在大城市，用手机付钱已经很普遍了。In big cities, paying by phone has become very common.
直接direct; straightforwardAdjective4
有问题可以直接找经理。If you have a problem, you can go straight to the manager.
Of people also blunt, outspoken.
灵活flexible; nimbleAdjective4
这份工作的时间很灵活。The hours in this job are very flexible.
间接indirectAdjective4
这件事我是间接听说的。I heard about this second-hand.
完整complete; intactAdjective4
这套书一本都不少，非常完整。Not one volume is missing; the set is complete.
完美perfectAdjective4
没有人是完美的。Nobody is perfect.
全面comprehensive; all-roundAdjective4
看问题要全面，不能只看一个方面。Look at a problem from every side, not just from one.
有效effective; validAdjective4
你的护照还有效吗？Is your passport still valid?
片面one-sided; partialAdjective4
只听一个人的话，难免会片面。If you only listen to one person, you are bound to get a one-sided view.
充分full; ample; thoroughAdjective4
考试前他做了充分的准备。He prepared thoroughly before the exam.
强烈strong; intenseAdjective4
这里夏天的阳光非常强烈。The sunlight here in summer is very strong.
紧急urgent; emergencyAdjective4
有紧急情况请打这个电话。In an emergency, please call this number.
临时temporary; at short noticeAdjective4
他找了一份临时工作。He found a temporary job.
宝贵valuable; preciousAdjective4
谢谢你的宝贵意见。Thank you for your valuable advice.
For time, experience and advice; a treasured object is also 珍贵.
突出outstanding; prominentAdjective4
他在工作中表现很突出。His performance at work stands out.
适当appropriate; suitable; moderateAdjective4
每天做适当的运动对身体有好处。A moderate amount of exercise every day is good for you.
实用practical; usefulAdjective4
这个包虽然不好看，但是很实用。This bag is not pretty, but it is very practical.
一致unanimous; consistentAdjective4
大家的意见很一致。Everyone is of one mind.
相似similarAdjective4
这两个字长得很相似，容易写错。These two characters look very alike and are easy to mix up when writing.
More written than 像.
密切close; intimateAdjective4
这两家公司一直保持着密切的联系。The two companies have always kept in close contact.
平均average; evenAdjective4
这个班学生的平均年龄是二十岁。The average age of the students in this class is twenty.
陌生unfamiliar; strangeAdjective4
孩子不要跟陌生人走。Children should not go off with strangers.
模糊blurred; vagueAdjective4
雨太大，窗外的一切都很模糊。The rain is so heavy that everything outside the window is a blur.
清晰clear; distinct; sharpAdjective4
新手机的屏幕特别清晰。The screen on the new phone is especially sharp.
透明transparentAdjective4
这家店的价格很透明，不会骗人。This shop's prices are transparent; it won't cheat you.
先进advanced; up to dateAdjective4
这家医院的设备非常先进。This hospital's equipment is very advanced.
生动vivid; livelyAdjective4
老师讲课讲得很生动。The teacher's lessons are very lively.
热门popular; trendingAdjective4
这是最近最热门的话题。This is the most talked-about topic at the moment.
原创original (work)Adjective4
这篇文章是原创的，请不要随便复制。This article is original work; please don't copy it without asking.
孝顺dutiful to one's parents; filialAdjective4
他很孝顺，每个周末都回家看父母。He is a devoted son and goes home to see his parents every weekend.
单亲single-parentAdjective4
她在一个单亲家庭长大。She grew up in a single-parent family.
清淡light (not oily or heavily seasoned)Adjective4
医生让他这几天吃得清淡一点儿。The doctor told him to eat light food for the next few days.
油腻greasy; oilyAdjective4
这道菜太油腻了，我吃了两口就不想吃了。This dish is too greasy; after two mouthfuls I’d had enough.
鲜fresh; savoury, full of flavourAdjective4
这鱼汤真鲜，一定是今天早上买的鱼。This fish soup is so full of flavour — the fish must have been bought this morning.
Said of soup and seafood, it is the taste English calls savoury or umami.
麻numbing (the tingle of Sichuan pepper)Adjective4
四川菜又麻又辣，第一次吃的人常常受不了。Sichuan food is numbing and hot; people trying it for the first time often can’t take it.
地道authentic; genuineAdjective4
这家店的北京菜很地道。The Beijing food in this place is very authentic.
With a neutral second syllable; dìdào is an underground tunnel.
正宗authentic; the real thingAdjective4
听说这儿的兰州拉面是最正宗的。I’ve heard the Lanzhou noodles here are the most authentic.
长期long-term; over a long periodAdjective4
长期熬夜对身体很不好。Staying up late over a long period is very bad for your health.
短期short-termAdjective4
我在北京上过一个短期汉语班。I took a short Chinese course in Beijing.
过时out of date; old-fashionedAdjective4
这种手机早就过时了。This kind of phone went out of date long ago.
了不起remarkable; amazingAdjective4
她一个人把三个孩子养大，真了不起。She raised three children on her own — that’s remarkable.
了 is read liǎo here, not le.
不像话outrageous; unacceptableAdjective4
把垃圾扔在别人门口，太不像话了！Dumping rubbish on someone else’s doorstep — that’s outrageous!
靠不住unreliable; not to be trustedAdjective4
他说的话靠不住，你最好自己去问问。What he says isn’t reliable; you’d better go and ask yourself.
不得已having no alternative; reluctantlyAdjective4
我也是不得已才这么做的，请你原谅。I only did it because I had no choice — please forgive me.
丢人embarrassing; to lose faceAdjective4
在这么多人面前摔倒，真丢人。Falling over in front of so many people — how embarrassing.
定期fixed-term (deposit); regularAdjective4
这笔钱我存了三年定期，利息高一些。I’ve put this money in a three-year fixed deposit; the interest is a bit higher.
Also “regular”: 定期检查, regular check-ups.
活期instant-access (deposit)Adjective4
活期存款随时可以取，但是利息很低。Instant-access savings can be withdrawn at any time, but the interest is very low.
值钱valuable; worth a lotAdjective4
这个旧花瓶看起来很普通，其实很值钱。This old vase looks ordinary, but it’s actually worth a lot.
贵重valuable; preciousAdjective4
贵重的东西请随身带好。Please keep valuables with you.
Of objects, and on signs; 值钱 is the everyday word.
公平fair; justAdjective4
他觉得这样分配工作不太公平。He feels that dividing up the work like this is not very fair.
课外extracurricular; outside classAdjective4
她的课外活动排得满满的。Her after-school activities are packed.
业余amateur; spare-timeAdjective4
他是业余选手，白天还要上班。He is an amateur and still has to go to work during the day.
The opposite is 职业, professional.
独特unique; distinctiveAdjective4
这家咖啡馆的装修风格很独特。The décor of this café has a very distinctive style.
珍贵precious; treasuredAdjective4
这些老照片对我来说非常珍贵。These old photos are very precious to me.
精致exquisite; fine; delicateAdjective4
盒子里装着几块精致的点心。The box held a few exquisite little cakes.
平凡ordinary; commonplaceAdjective4
他只是一个平凡的人，却做了一件不平凡的事。He is just an ordinary man, yet he did something extraordinary.
匆忙hurried; hastyAdjective4
他走得太匆忙，把手机忘在桌子上了。He left in such a hurry that he forgot his phone on the table.
枯燥dull; dry; monotonousAdjective4
背单词很枯燥，但是没办法。Memorising vocabulary is dull, but there is no way round it.
固执stubborn, obstinateAdjective4
我爸很固执，决定了的事谁劝都没用。My dad is very stubborn: once he has decided something, there is no talking him out of it.
A complaint; the praising word for not giving up is 执着.
开朗cheerful, outgoingAdjective4
她性格开朗，走到哪儿都有朋友。She has a cheerful nature and makes friends wherever she goes.
5 (164)
宏观macro-; macroscopicAdjective5
政府通过利率和税收进行宏观调控。The government manages the economy as a whole through interest rates and taxation.
微观micro-; microscopicAdjective5
这门课讲的是微观经济学。This course is about microeconomics.
萧条in a slump; depressed; desolateAdjective5
经济萧条的时候，这条街上很多商店都关了。In the slump many shops in this street closed.
人均per capita; per headAdjective5
这个地区的人均收入提高了很多。Per capita income in this region has risen a lot.
有罪guiltyAdjective5
在判决之前，谁都不能说他有罪。Until the verdict, nobody can say he is guilty.
无罪not guilty; innocentAdjective5
经过审理，法院判他无罪。After hearing the case, the court found him not guilty.
公正just; fair; impartialAdjective5
大家都希望法官能作出公正的判决。Everyone hopes the judge will reach a fair verdict.
精确precise; exactAdjective5
这些数据必须非常精确。This data has to be very precise.
临床clinicalAdjective5
新药上市前必须经过临床试验。A new drug must go through clinical trials before it goes on sale.
濒危endangeredAdjective5
这种鸟已经被列为濒危物种。This bird has been listed as an endangered species.
可再生renewableAdjective5
太阳能和风能都是可再生能源。Solar and wind power are both renewable sources of energy.
虚拟virtualAdjective5
戴上这副眼镜，就能进入一个虚拟世界。Put on these glasses and you enter a virtual world.
智能intelligent; smartAdjective5
我给爸爸买了一块智能手表。I bought my dad a smartwatch.
数码digital (of devices)Adjective5
他用数码相机拍了很多风景。He took lots of landscape pictures with a digital camera.
Used of consumer devices; the general word for digital is 数字.
独家exclusiveAdjective5
这家报纸得到了独家采访的机会。The newspaper got the chance of an exclusive interview.
匿名anonymousAdjective5
编辑部收到了一封匿名信。The editorial office received an anonymous letter.
失实inaccurate; untrue (of a report)Adjective5
报社承认那篇报道有部分内容失实。The paper admitted that part of that report was inaccurate.
贫困poor; impoverished; povertyAdjective5
她在贫困的山区长大，后来当了医生。She grew up in a poor mountain area and later became a doctor.
The written word; in conversation people say 穷.
双边bilateralAdjective5
两国签了一份双边贸易协定。The two countries signed a bilateral trade agreement.
Only before a noun: 双边关系, bilateral relations.
多边multilateralAdjective5
很多全球性问题需要通过多边合作来解决。Many global problems need to be tackled through multilateral cooperation.
中立neutral; neutralityAdjective5
在这件事上，他一直保持中立。He has stayed neutral on this matter throughout.
和谐harmoniousAdjective5
他们一家人相处得很和谐。The whole family get on together in harmony.
多元diverse; pluralisticAdjective5
这座港口城市的文化非常多元。The culture of this port city is very diverse.
本土local; home-grownAdjective5
这个电影节主要展示本土导演的作品。This film festival mainly shows the work of local directors.
From the place itself as opposed to from abroad; a place nearby is 当地.
封建feudalAdjective5
在封建社会里，婚姻大多由父母决定。In feudal society marriages were mostly decided by parents.
In conversation it can also mean old-fashioned or narrow-minded.
鼎盛at its height; flourishingAdjective5
在鼎盛时期，这座城市有上百万人口。At its height this city had a population of over a million.
填鸭式spoon-feeding (teaching); crammingAdjective5
填鸭式的教学让学生只会背答案。Spoon-feeding leaves pupils able to do nothing but recite answers.
Literally “in the manner of force-feeding a duck”.
全日制full-timeAdjective5
他一边工作一边读书，不是全日制学生。He works while he studies, so he is not a full-time student.
Of a course or a student; a full-time job is 全职.
公立state-run; public (school, hospital)Adjective5
这里大多数孩子上的都是公立学校。Most children here go to state schools.
Run by the state; a British “public school” is in fact 私立.
私立private (school, hospital)Adjective5
私立学校的学费一般比较贵。Private schools usually charge fairly high fees.
情绪化emotional; moodyAdjective5
做决定的时候别太情绪化。Do not let your emotions take over when you make decisions.
焦虑anxious; anxietyAdjective5
考试前一天，他焦虑得睡不着觉。The day before the exam he was so anxious that he could not sleep.
Stronger and longer-lasting than 着急.
抑郁depressed; lowAdjective5
失业以后，他一直很抑郁。Since he lost his job he has been very low.
自卑to feel inferior; lacking self-confidenceAdjective5
她小时候因为个子矮有点儿自卑。As a child she felt a little inferior because she was short.
The opposite of 自信.
冲动impulsive; impulseAdjective5
别冲动，先冷静下来再说。Do not act on impulse; calm down first, then we can talk.
叛逆rebelliousAdjective5
儿子上了初中以后变得有点儿叛逆。Since starting junior high our son has become a little rebellious.
弹性flexible; elasticityAdjective5
这家公司实行弹性工作时间。This company has flexible working hours.
The first syllable is tán; read dàn the same character means a bullet.
互惠mutually beneficial; reciprocalAdjective5
两家公司本着互惠的原则开展合作。The two companies work together on the principle of mutual benefit.
拥堵congested; congestionAdjective5
上下班时间这条路特别拥堵。This road is especially congested at rush hour.
The written word; in conversation 堵车.
宜居liveable; good to live inAdjective5
这座小城市安静、干净，非常宜居。This small city is quiet and clean, a very good place to live.
配套supporting; ancillary (facilities)Adjective5
新小区周围的配套设施还没有建好。The shops, schools and other amenities around the new estate are not finished yet.
Everything that has to come with housing: shops, schools, clinics, transport.
无障碍accessible; barrier-freeAdjective5
新的地铁站都有无障碍电梯。All the new underground stations have lifts for step-free access.
便民for the convenience of residentsAdjective5
小区门口开了一家便民超市。A small local supermarket has opened at the entrance to the estate.
On signs for services set up to make daily life easier: 便民服务.
有机organicAdjective5
有机蔬菜不用化肥和农药，所以价格比较高。Organic vegetables are grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides, so they cost more.
转基因genetically modifiedAdjective5
这种大豆的包装上写着“非转基因”。The packet of these soya beans says “not genetically modified”.
古典classicalAdjective5
我爸爸开车时只听古典音乐。My dad only listens to classical music when he drives.
写实realistic (in style)Adjective5
他的画非常写实，像照片一样。His paintings are very realistic, just like photographs.
显著marked; notable; significantAdjective5
经过半年的治疗，他的病情有了显著的好转。After six months of treatment his condition has improved markedly.
More formal than 明显; typical of reports and the news.
迫切urgent; pressingAdjective5
这个地区迫切需要更多的医生。This area urgently needs more doctors.
恰当appropriate; fittingAdjective5
这个词用在这里不太恰当。This word isn't quite appropriate here.
微妙subtle; delicateAdjective5
他们俩的关系有点儿微妙。The relationship between the two of them is a little delicate.
艰难hard; difficult (to get through)Adjective5
那几年家里生活很艰难，父母却从不抱怨。Life at home was hard in those years, yet my parents never complained.
繁荣prosperous; flourishingAdjective5
这个小镇因为旅游业变得越来越繁荣。Thanks to tourism, the small town has become more and more prosperous.
薄弱weak (in one area)Adjective5
他的数学基础比较薄弱。His grounding in maths is rather weak.
薄 is bó here; it is báo when it means physically thin.
坦率frank; candidAdjective5
说得坦率一点，我不太喜欢这个方案。To be frank, I don't much like this plan.
率 is shuài here and lǜ, rate, in 效率.
虚伪hypocritical; insincereAdjective5
他当面夸你，背后说你坏话，真虚伪。He praises you to your face and runs you down behind your back; he's so two-faced.
谨慎cautious; carefulAdjective5
投资的时候一定要谨慎。You must be cautious when investing.
严峻severe; grim; seriousAdjective5
公司现在面临严峻的考验。The company now faces a severe test.
Of situations and challenges, not of people.
深远far-reaching; profoundAdjective5
这个决定对她的一生产生了深远的影响。This decision had a far-reaching influence on her whole life.
广阔vast; broadAdjective5
站在山顶上，眼前是广阔的草原。From the top of the mountain, vast grasslands stretched out before us.
Also figurative: 广阔的前景, broad prospects.
悠闲leisurely; unhurriedAdjective5
退休以后，他过着悠闲的生活。Since retiring he has led a leisurely life.
频繁frequentAdjective5
最近他出差很频繁，很少在家。He has been away on business a lot lately and is rarely at home.
An adjective, not an adverb: 很频繁, or 频繁地 before a verb.
优越superior; favourableAdjective5
这里地理位置优越，交通非常方便。This place is ideally located, with excellent transport links.
优越感: a sense of superiority.
恶劣very bad; vile; atrociousAdjective5
天气恶劣，航班全部取消了。The weather was atrocious, and all flights were cancelled.
Of weather, conditions and behaviour: 态度恶劣.
隆重grand; solemn; ceremoniousAdjective5
学校为毕业生举行了隆重的毕业典礼。The school held a grand graduation ceremony for its graduates.
简陋simple and crude; basicAdjective5
宿舍虽然简陋，但是很干净。The dormitory is basic, but very clean.
朴素plain; simple; modestAdjective5
她穿得很朴素，从来不化妆。She dresses very plainly and never wears make-up.
混乱chaotic; confusedAdjective5
会议安排得很混乱，谁也不知道该去哪儿。The meeting was so badly organised that nobody knew where to go.
草率rash; hasty; carelessAdjective5
这么重要的事，不能草率决定。Something this important must not be decided hastily.
周到thoughtful; attentive; thoroughAdjective5
这家酒店的服务非常周到。The service at this hotel is very attentive.
灿烂brilliant; bright; radiantAdjective5
阳光灿烂的早上，公园里全是散步的人。On a bright sunny morning the park is full of people out walking.
Also 笑容灿烂, a radiant smile.
狭窄narrowAdjective5
老城的街道很狭窄，只能步行。The streets of the old town are very narrow; you can only go on foot.
More formal than 窄; also figurative: 心胸狭窄, narrow-minded.
牢固firm; solid; secureAdjective5
这座老房子的墙非常牢固。The walls of this old house are very solid.
Also of knowledge: 基础打得很牢固.
便捷quick and convenientAdjective5
有了地铁以后，进城变得便捷多了。Since the metro opened, getting into town has become much quicker and easier.
荒凉desolate; desertedAdjective5
小村里的年轻人都走了，显得很荒凉。All the young people have left the little village, and it looks desolate.
苛刻harsh; demanding; exactingAdjective5
这家公司的招聘条件非常苛刻。This company's hiring requirements are very demanding.
罕见rare; seldom seenAdjective5
这里冬天下这么大的雪，十分罕见。Snow as heavy as this is very rare here in winter.
鲜明distinct; striking; brightAdjective5
两个人的性格形成了鲜明的对比。Their two personalities form a striking contrast.
脆弱fragile; vulnerableAdjective5
刚分手的时候，她心里特别脆弱。Just after the break-up she felt especially fragile.
漫长very long (in time or distance)Adjective5
对等结果的人来说，每一天都很漫长。For someone waiting for results, every day seems endless.
短暂brief; short-livedAdjective5
假期很短暂，可是我们玩得很开心。The holiday was short, but we had a wonderful time.
愤怒angry, indignant; angerAdjective5
听到这个消息，大家都非常愤怒。Everyone was furious when they heard the news.
Stronger and more formal than 生气.
沮丧dejected, downheartedAdjective5
连续三次面试失败，他有点儿沮丧。After three failed interviews in a row, he is feeling rather downhearted.
欣慰gratified; pleased and reassuredAdjective5
看到孩子慢慢懂事了，妈妈感到很欣慰。Seeing her child gradually grow more sensible, the mother felt deeply gratified.
Typically what parents and teachers feel when their efforts pay off.
焦急anxious, impatient (while waiting)Adjective5
手术还没结束，家人在门外焦急地等着。The operation was not yet over, and the family waited anxiously outside.
无奈helpless; resigned, having no choiceAdjective5
航班又取消了，他无奈地笑了笑。The flight was cancelled again, and he gave a resigned smile.
悲哀sad, sorrowful (about a state of affairs)Adjective5
他为了钱失去了所有的朋友，真是一件悲哀的事。He lost all his friends for the sake of money — a truly sad thing.
悲痛grief-stricken; griefAdjective5
听到奶奶去世的消息，全家都非常悲痛。The whole family was grief-stricken at the news of Grandma’s death.
Reserved for real grief, above all a death.
伤感sentimental, melancholyAdjective5
毕业那天，大家都有点儿伤感。On graduation day everyone felt a little sentimental.
惆怅wistful, melancholyAdjective5
秋天的傍晚总让他感到一丝惆怅。Autumn evenings always leave him with a touch of melancholy.
Literary.
欣喜delighted, joyfulAdjective5
看到自己种的花开了，他十分欣喜。He was delighted to see the flowers he had planted come into bloom.
舒畅carefree, at ease; in good spiritsAdjective5
在山里住了几天，他心情格外舒畅。After a few days in the mountains he was in especially good spirits.
忐忑on edge, uneasyAdjective5
等结果的时候，我心里一直很忐忑。I was on edge the whole time I was waiting for the result.
Very often in the fixed phrase 忐忑不安.
茫然at a loss; blankAdjective5
刚到陌生的城市，他一时感到很茫然。Newly arrived in a strange city, he felt at a loss for a while.
迷茫lost, without direction (in life)Adjective5
大学毕业后，她不知道该做什么，很迷茫。After graduating she did not know what to do and felt quite lost.
About where your life is going; 茫然 is a moment of not knowing what to do.
困惑puzzled, perplexedAdjective5
他的回答让我更困惑了。His answer left me even more puzzled.
纠结torn; unable to make up one’s mindAdjective5
去还是不去，我纠结了一个星期。I was torn for a whole week over whether to go or not.
Colloquial and recent in this sense; literally “tangled”.
心寒disheartened, chilled (by someone’s coldness)Adjective5
在他最难的时候朋友都躲开了，这让他很心寒。When things were hardest for him, his friends all kept away, and that chilled him to the core.
Literally “the heart turns cold”.
释然relieved; at peace (having let something go)Adjective5
听了他的解释，我心里释然了。After hearing his explanation, I was able to let it go.
坦然calm, at ease (with nothing to hide)Adjective5
做错了就坦然承认，没什么丢人的。If you got it wrong, admit it calmly; there is nothing shameful about that.
镇定calm, composed (in an emergency)Adjective5
发生火灾时，她很镇定地指挥大家离开了大楼。When the fire broke out, she calmly directed everyone out of the building.
狼狈in a sorry state; flusteredAdjective5
忘了带伞，他被雨淋得很狼狈。He forgot his umbrella and got caught in the rain, looking a sorry sight.
难堪embarrassed, mortifiedAdjective5
他当着大家的面批评我，让我很难堪。He criticised me in front of everyone, which was mortifying.
Sharper than 尴尬: someone has made you lose face.
羞愧ashamedAdjective5
想起当时对妈妈说的话，他感到非常羞愧。Remembering what he had said to his mother back then, he felt deeply ashamed.
Stronger than 惭愧.
振奋roused, inspiredAdjective5
这个好消息让大家十分振奋。The good news lifted everyone’s spirits.
知足content with what one hasAdjective5
他很知足，觉得有份稳定的工作就够了。He is content: to him, having a steady job is enough.
From the saying 知足常乐, contentment brings happiness.
正直upright, honestAdjective5
他为人正直，从来不做对不起良心的事。He is an upright man and never does anything against his conscience.
圆滑smooth, slick (in dealing with people)Adjective5
他说话很圆滑，谁也不得罪。He is a smooth talker who never offends anyone.
Critical: someone too eager to please to say what they think.
冷漠indifferent, coldAdjective5
有人摔倒了，他却冷漠地走了过去。Someone fell over, but he just walked past without a second glance.
慷慨generousAdjective5
这位老人很慷慨，常常拿出钱帮助邻居。This old man is very generous and often gives money to help his neighbours.
More formal than 大方.
刻薄harsh, unkind (especially in speech)Adjective5
她说话太刻薄了，同事们都不愿意跟她聊天。She says such cutting things that her colleagues would rather not talk to her.
机灵quick-witted, sharpAdjective5
这孩子很机灵，眼睛一转就有主意了。This child is very quick-witted: in the blink of an eye he has come up with an idea.
稳重steady, matureAdjective5
他虽然年轻，做事却很稳重。Young as he is, he goes about things in a very steady way.
豪爽open-handed and forthrightAdjective5
他是个豪爽的人，请朋友吃饭从来不计较。He is a big-hearted, forthright man who never counts the cost of treating his friends.
世故worldly, calculating (in dealing with people)Adjective5
他年纪不大，说话做事却很世故。He is not old, yet he talks and acts in a very worldly, calculating way.
The adjective has a neutral second syllable; the noun 世故, worldly experience, keeps the fourth tone.
憨厚simple and honest, guilelessAdjective5
这个小伙子老实憨厚，大家都喜欢他。This young man is honest and guileless, and everyone likes him.
老练experienced, seasonedAdjective5
她处理问题很老练，一点儿也不像新手。She handles problems like an old hand; she doesn’t seem new at all.
精明shrewd, astuteAdjective5
他做生意很精明，从不吃亏。He is a shrewd businessman and never comes off worse.
势利snobbishAdjective5
那家店的店员很势利，看人穿得普通就不理人。The staff in that shop are snobbish: if you are dressed plainly they ignore you.
A snob is 势利眼.
霸道overbearing, domineeringAdjective5
他在家里很霸道，什么都要听他的。He is domineering at home: everything has to be done his way.
贪心greedyAdjective5
别太贪心，一次拿一个就够了。Don’t be greedy — one at a time is enough.
吝啬stingy, miserlyAdjective5
他很有钱，可是非常吝啬。He has a lot of money but is extremely stingy.
Written and harsher; in speech people say 小气.
懦弱weak, cowardlyAdjective5
他太懦弱了，被人欺负也不敢说。He is too weak: even when people push him around, he does not dare say anything.
胆怯timid, faint-heartedAdjective5
第一次上台演出，她有点儿胆怯。Going on stage for the first time, she felt a little timid.
果断decisiveAdjective5
关键时刻她总是很果断。At the critical moment she is always decisive.
踏实steady and dependable; at easeAdjective5
小张工作很踏实，交给他的事都能办好。Xiao Zhang is a steady worker: whatever you give him gets done.
Also 心里踏实, to feel at ease.
务实pragmatic, practicalAdjective5
新经理很务实，不爱说空话。The new manager is pragmatic and does not go in for empty talk.
执着persistent, devoted (to a goal)Adjective5
她对音乐很执着，练了二十年琴。She is devoted to music and has practised her instrument for twenty years.
Praise; 着 is read zhuó here.
敬业dedicated to one’s workAdjective5
她非常敬业，生病了还坚持上班。She is very dedicated and still goes to work when she is ill.
细腻sensitive, finely observedAdjective5
这位作家的感情很细腻，写的东西很打动人。This writer has very fine feelings, and what she writes really moves people.
Also of skin, food or craftsmanship: smooth, fine.
敏锐sharp, perceptiveAdjective5
他很敏锐，一下子就发现了问题在哪儿。He is very perceptive and saw at once where the problem lay.
迟钝slow, sluggish (in reacting)Adjective5
我早上刚起床的时候反应很迟钝。In the morning, just after I get up, I am very slow on the uptake.
浮躁restless, impatient (for quick results)Adjective5
有些年轻人比较浮躁，做什么都想马上看到结果。Some young people are rather restless and want to see results straight away, whatever they do.
暴躁hot-tempered, irritableAdjective5
他脾气暴躁，一点儿小事就发火。He has a hot temper and flares up at the smallest thing.
沉着calm, cool-headedAdjective5
面对记者的问题，她回答得很沉着。She answered the reporters’ questions with great composure.
着 is read zhuó here.
含蓄reserved, understatedAdjective5
他表达感情比较含蓄，很少直接说“我爱你”。He is fairly reserved about his feelings and seldom says “I love you” outright.
张扬showy, ostentatiousAdjective5
他性格张扬，做什么都喜欢让别人知道。He is a showy character and likes everyone to know whatever he is doing.
低调low-key, unassumingAdjective5
她很有名，生活却非常低调。She is very well known but lives a very low-key life.
高傲haughty, arrogantAdjective5
他很高傲，不太看得起别人。He is haughty and does not think much of other people.
开明open-minded, enlightenedAdjective5
我的父母很开明，让我自己选专业。My parents are open-minded and let me choose my own subject.
保守conservative, cautiousAdjective5
奶奶的想法比较保守，不太接受新事物。Grandma’s views are rather conservative, and she is slow to accept new things.
Also of estimates: 保守估计, a cautious estimate.
正派decent, respectableAdjective5
他是个正派人，你可以放心跟他合作。He is a decent man; you can work with him without worrying.
About how someone lives and behaves; 正直 stresses honesty in judgement.
委婉tactful, indirect (in speech)Adjective5
她委婉地告诉我，这个方案还需要修改。She told me tactfully that the plan still needed some changes.
啰嗦long-winded; to go on and onAdjective5
他讲话太啰嗦，一件小事说了半个小时。He is so long-winded: he spent half an hour on one small matter.
Also written 啰唆.
吞吞吐吐hesitant, hemming and hawingAdjective5
问他昨天去哪儿了，他吞吞吐吐地说不清楚。When asked where he had been yesterday, he hemmed and hawed and could not say.
含糊vague, ambiguousAdjective5
他的回答很含糊，好像不想说实话。His answer was vague, as if he did not want to tell the truth.
夸张exaggerated; over the topAdjective5
你说一天看完十本书？也太夸张了吧！You say you read ten books in one day? That’s a bit over the top, isn’t it!
客套polite (only for form’s sake)Adjective5
我们是老朋友，不用这么客套。We’re old friends — there’s no need to stand on ceremony.
客套话 are polite phrases nobody takes literally.
口头oral, verbalAdjective5
我们只是口头约定，还没签合同。We only have a verbal agreement; we haven’t signed a contract yet.
书面written, in writingAdjective5
请在周五前提交书面申请。Please submit a written application by Friday.
The pair is 口头; 书面语 is the written language.
疲惫exhausted, worn outAdjective5
加了一个星期的班，大家都很疲惫。After a week of overtime, everyone is worn out.
虚弱weak, frailAdjective5
病刚好，身体还很虚弱。He has only just recovered and is still very weak.
营养不良malnourished; malnutritionAdjective5
这只小猫又瘦又小，明显营养不良。This kitten is thin and small, clearly malnourished.
酸痛aching, soreAdjective5
第一次去健身房，第二天全身酸痛。After my first time at the gym, I ached all over the next day.
时尚fashionable; fashionAdjective5
她穿得很时尚，像杂志上的模特。She dresses very fashionably, like a model in a magazine.
休闲casual; leisureAdjective5
周末他喜欢穿得休闲一点儿。At weekends he likes to dress a bit more casually.
Casual wear is 休闲装.
宽松loose-fitting, roomyAdjective5
这条裙子很宽松，穿着很舒服。This dress is loose and very comfortable to wear.
Also figurative: a relaxed atmosphere or lenient rules.
修身slim-fit, tailoredAdjective5
这件西装是修身的，你最好试一下。This suit is a slim fit, so you had better try it on.
In older writing, to cultivate one’s character.
显瘦slimming (makes one look thinner)Adjective5
黑色的衣服比较显瘦。Black clothes are rather slimming.
苗条slender, slimAdjective5
她身材苗条，穿什么都好看。She is slender and looks good in anything.
Used of women; for men, 瘦 or 精瘦.
内卷pointless over-competition; the rat raceAdjective5
大家都在加班，这个行业太内卷了。Everyone is working overtime — the competition in this industry has got out of hand.
Informal in this sense; originally an academic term, “involution”: everyone works harder and nobody gains.
佛系laid-back, not botheredAdjective5
他对升职很佛系，有就有，没有也无所谓。He is very laid-back about promotion: if it comes, fine; if not, he doesn’t mind.
Informal and joking, from 佛, the Buddha: free of desire.
碎片化fragmented, in bits and piecesAdjective5
现在很多人习惯碎片化阅读，很难读完一本书。Many people are used to reading in snippets now and find it hard to finish a book.
社恐socially anxious; social anxietyAdjective5
我有点儿社恐，人一多就不知道说什么。I’m a bit socially anxious: in a crowd I don’t know what to say.
Informal, and usually self-mocking rather than a diagnosis.