(yōu xiù) - outstanding, excellent in Mandarin
yōuxiùTraditional: 優秀
Translation
outstanding, excellent
Word origin
A compound of 优 (yōu, superior or excellent) and 秀 (xiù, fine, originally grain in flower), both carrying the sense of standing out from the rest.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 优 (yōu, superior) + 秀 (xiù, fine, outstanding)
Stroke order
优
秀
Examples
。
She is an outstanding teacher.
绩。
This student's marks are excellent.
。
The company wants to find better people.
。
His performance yesterday was first rate.
。
Outstanding work always takes time.
优秀 (yōu xiù) is the word schools and workplaces use for the top of the distribution. It goes on people, on work and on results: 优秀学生, 优秀员工, 优秀作品. Chinese school reports use it as the top grade band, above 良好.
Because it is an evaluation, it rarely describes objects or experiences. A film is 好看, a meal is 好吃, a holiday is 愉快. Calling any of them 优秀 sounds like a report card and will get you a smile.
The trap for English speakers is treating it as a general "great". It is not. Reserve 优秀 for merit that could in principle be graded, and use 很好, 太棒了 or 不错 for everything else.
Where this fits
Add to review queue
Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.
Go to my review queueMandarin · Free printables
优秀: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "优秀" (outstanding, excellent): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 47.