Kilo Lingo

(suǒ wèi) - so-called, what is called, alleged in Mandarin

suǒwèi

Traditional: 所謂

Line drawing of 所谓
Coloured illustration of 所谓
#1762 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

so-called, what is called, alleged

Word origin

A compound of the structural particle 所 (suǒ) and 谓 (wèi, to say, to call), forming the set phrase meaning that which is called.

Origin
compound
Root
所 (suǒ, structural particle) + 谓 (wèi, to call)

Stroke order

Stroke order for 所

Stroke order for 谓

Examples

Is this what is called success?

His so-called friends are not actually reliable.

jiéjìng

The so-called shortcuts are often the most dangerous.

guī

I do not care about those so-called rules.

What we call freedom is taking responsibility for one's own choices.

所谓 (suǒwèi) means so-called or what is called, often carrying a sceptical or dismissive tone about a label. It typically introduces the noun phrase it qualifies.

Where this fits

Used in

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Mandarin · Free printables

所谓: worksheet, infographic and listicle

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This word is part of lesson 36.