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约定俗成 (yuē dìng sú chéng) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

约定俗成 (yuē dìng sú chéng) is a Chinese word: established by convention. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 约定俗成

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

established by convention

语言中有很多约定俗成的规则。

yǔ yán zhōng yǒu hěn duō yuē dìng sú chéng de guī zé

There are many conventional rules in language.

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Word breakdown

约 yuē — to agree, to arrange

Words with this character (17)
  • 1 大约 dà yuē — approximately HSK 4
    • 大 general, broad (conveys roughness of estimate)
    • 约 approximately, about (core meaning of approximation)
    Example

    这本书大约有三百页。

    zhè běn shū dà yuē yǒu sān bǎi yè

    This book has approximately three hundred pages.

  • 2 约会 yuē huì — to date HSK 4
    • 约 to arrange, to make an appointment
    • 会 to meet, meeting
    Example

    他们明天晚上要约会。

    tā men míng tiān wǎn shang yào yuē huì

    They are going to date tomorrow evening.

  • 3 节约 jié yuē — save, economize HSK 4
    • 节 moderation, restraint
    • 约 restriction, limiting
    Example

    我们应该节约用水。

    wǒ men yīng gāi jié yuē yòng shuǐ

    We should save water.

  • 4 约定 yuē dìng — to agree upon HSK 5
    • 约 to arrange, to invite (provides the arranging/initiating aspect)
    • 定 to fix, to determine (provides the finalizing/confirming aspect)
    Example

    我们约定明天见面。

    wǒ men yuē dìng míng tiān jiàn miàn

    We agreed to meet tomorrow.

  • 5 预约 yù yuē — to make an appointment HSK 5
    • 预 in advance, beforehand
    • 约 to arrange, to agree upon
    Example

    你可以在网上预约餐厅。

    nǐ kě yǐ zài wǎng shang yù yuē cān tīng

    You can book a restaurant online.

Show more (+12)

定 dìng — to establish, to fix

Words with this character (51)
  • 1 一定 yí dìng — certain HSK 3
    • 一 one, single (implies definiteness)
    • 定 fixed, certain, definite
    Example

    这个工作需要一定的经验。

    zhè ge gōng zuò xū yào yí dìng de jīng yàn

    This job requires certain experience.

  • 2 决定 jué dìng — to decide HSK 3
    • 决 to decide, to determine
    • 定 fixed, settled, established
    Example

    我决定明天去北京。

    wǒ jué dìng míng tiān qù Běi jīng

    I decide to go to Beijing tomorrow.

  • 3 肯定 kěn dìng — affirm, confirm HSK 4
    • 肯 affirmative, willing to accept
    • 定 certain, fixed, settled
    Example

    老师肯定了他的进步。

    lǎo shī kěn dìng le tā de jìn bù

    The teacher affirmed his progress.

  • 4 规定 guī dìng — to stipulate HSK 4
    • 规 rule, standard
    • 定 fixed, established
    Example

    学校规定学生必须穿校服。

    xué xiào guī dìng xué shēng bì xū chuān xiào fú

    The school stipulates that students must wear uniforms.

  • 5 制定 zhì dìng — to formulate HSK 5
    • 制 to make, to create (a system)
    • 定 to fix, to determine
    Example

    政府正在制定新的环保政策。

    zhèng fǔ zhèng zài zhì dìng xīn de huán bǎo zhèng cè

    The government is formulating new environmental policies.

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俗 sú — custom, common practice

Words with this character (8)
  • 1 风俗 fēng sú — customs HSK 5
    • 风 style, manner, way
    • 俗 custom, convention, practice
    Example

    我们应该尊重不同地方的风俗。

    wǒ men yīng gāi zūn zhòng bù tóng dì fang de fēng sú

    We should respect the customs of different places.

  • 2 习俗 xí sú — custom HSK 6
    • 习 practice, learned behavior
    • 俗 common practice, convention
    Example

    每个国家都有自己独特的习俗。

    měi gè guó jiā dōu yǒu zì jǐ dú tè de xí sú

    Every country has its own unique customs.

  • 3 民俗 mín sú — folk customs HSK 6
    • 民 folk, people (common people)
    • 俗 customs, conventions (traditional practices)
    Example

    这个节日反映了当地的民俗。

    zhè ge jié rì fǎn yìng le dāng dì de mín sú

    This festival reflects the local folk customs.

  • 4 俗称 sú chēng — common name HSK 7
    • 俗 common, popular, colloquial
    • 称 to call, to name
    Example

    番茄的俗称是西红柿。

    fān qié de sú chēng shì xī hóng shì

    The common name for tomato is 'xihongshi'.

  • 5 俗话 sú huà — common saying HSK 7
    • 俗 common, popular, folk
    • 话 words, saying, speech
    Example

    俗话说，熟能生巧。

    sú huà shuō shú néng shēng qiǎo

    As the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

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  • 6 俗语 sú yǔ — common saying HSK 7
    • 俗 common, popular, folk
    • 语 saying, speech, language
    Example

    俗语说，熟能生巧。

    sú yǔ shuō shú néng shēng qiǎo

    A common saying goes, practice makes perfect.

  • 7 庸俗 yōng sú — vulgar HSK 7
    • 庸 mediocre, ordinary, commonplace
    • 俗 vulgar, common, mundane
    Example

    这部电影的内容很庸俗。

    zhè bù diàn yǐng de nèi róng hěn yōng sú

    The content of this movie is very vulgar.

  • 8 通俗 tōng sú — popular and easy to understand HSK 7
    • 通 accessible, comprehensible, getting through to people
    • 俗 common, popular, of the masses
    Example

    这本书用通俗的语言解释了复杂的科学原理。

    zhè běn shū yòng tōng sú de yǔ yán jiě shì le fù zá de kē xué yuán lǐ

    This book uses accessible language to explain complex scientific principles.

成 chéng — to become, to be formed

Words with this character (55)
Show more (+50)
Structure & writing
1 约 yuē — to propose or discuss (something mutually binding)
约 is a component in 1 characters
HSK 2
药 yào medicine; substance that nourishes the body or treats illness

consists of

1.1 纟 sī — silk/thread radical
纟 is a component in 67 characters
HSK 1
给 gěi to give; to hand over to someone
HSK 2
红 hóng red (color like fresh blood) 绍 shào to continue, to carry on 绿 lǜ green (color, like flourishing grass and leaves, mixed from blue and yellow)
HSK 3
级 jí rank; grade; level 纸 zhǐ paper, usually made from plant fibers 练 liàn (lit.) white processed silk 终 zhōng end result; conclusion (opposite of 始) 结 jié to tie a knot in rope, thread, or strip of cloth; to weave by knotting
Show more HSK 3 characters (+1)
绩 jì to twist hemp fibers into thread
HSK 4
约 yuē to propose or discuss (something mutually binding) 纪 jì rules; regulations; discipline 线 xiàn thread; yarn made of silk, cotton, hemp, etc., used for sewing or knitting 组 zǔ to combine, to form 细 xì thin (of a rod-like object, opposite of 粗)
Show more HSK 4 characters (+2)
绝 jué to sever; to cut off 续 xù to connect; to continue
HSK 5
纷 fēn numerous and disorderly 织 zhī to weave (cloth or garments from silk, hemp, cotton, wool, etc.) 绕 rào to wind around; to coil around 络 luò something resembling a net 统 tǒng in total; all together; entirely
Show more HSK 5 characters (+5)
绪 xù the beginning or starting point of something (originally the end of a silk thread) 维 wéi to connect; to tie 综 zōng to summarize; to bring together 缓 huǎn slow; unhurried (opposite of 急) 缩 suō to shrink; to become smaller, shorter, or fewer
HSK 6
纠 jiū to entangle; to twist around 纯 chún pure; free from impurities 纳 nà to take in; to bring in 绒 róng soft, fine hair or down 绘 huì to draw or paint (a picture)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+1)
编 biān to weave or braid (with strips or strands)
HSK 7
纤 xiān slender; delicate; fine 纬 wěi weft; horizontal threads in woven fabric (opposite of 经) 纱 shā yarn spun from cotton, hemp, etc., used to twist into thread or weave into cloth 纲 gāng the main rope of a fishing net; the key or essential part of something (often referring to documents or speeches) 纵 zòng north-south in direction (opposite of '横')
Show more HSK 7 characters (+29)
纹 wén pattern or design on silk fabric; decorative pattern or texture in general 纺 fǎng to spin (cotton, hemp, silk, wool, etc. into yarn or thread) 纽 niǔ handle or loop on an object for lifting or hanging 绅 shēn wide sash worn over the outer garment by ancient scholar-officials 绊 bàn to trip or entangle, impeding movement; to tie someone down so they cannot get away 绑 bǎng to tie up; to bind with rope or cord 绞 jiǎo to twist two or more strands together; to entangle 绣 xiù to embroider (patterns or characters onto fabric using colored thread) 绯 fēi crimson; scarlet 绰 chuò (lit.) ample; spacious; having plenty to spare 绳 shéng rope; cord (twisted from two or more strands of cotton, hemp, palm fibre, grass, etc.) 绵 mián silk floss; raw silk wadding used for padding clothing and quilts 绷 bēng to pull taut; to stretch tight 绸 chóu silk fabric; thin and soft silk textile 绽 zhàn to split open; to burst 缀 zhuì to sew together; to stitch 缅 miǎn distant; far away 缆 lǎn thick rope or iron chain for mooring a ship; heavy cable made of twisted strands 缉 jī to search for; to pursue and arrest 缔 dì to conclude; to establish (a treaty or agreement) 缕 lǚ thread; strand 缘 yuán reason; cause 缚 fù to bind; to tie up 缝 féng to sew; to stitch together with needle and thread 缠 chán to wind around, to wrap around 缤 bīn abundant and varied (as in "缤纷") 缴 jiǎo to hand in or pay (especially when fulfilling an obligation or under compulsion) 蕴 yùn (lit.) to contain; to accumulate 辫 biàn braid; plait of hair woven from divided strands
1.2 勺 sháo — ladle; spoon (a handled utensil for scooping)
勺 is a component in 6 characters
HSK 1
的 de structural particle used after an attributive: ① general modifier before a noun ② possessive modifier ③ attributive is a person's name or pronoun, head noun is a role or identity ④ head noun combines with a preceding verb to express an action, attributive is the object of that action
HSK 4
约 yuē to propose or discuss (something mutually binding)
HSK 6
钓 diào to fish with a hook and bait
HSK 7
灼 zhuó to burn; to scorch with fire 豹 bào leopard; panther 酌 zhuó to pour (wine); to drink (wine)

Stroke order

2 定 dìng — calm; stable
定 is a component in 2 characters
HSK 7
淀 diàn shallow lake (used in place names) 绽 zhàn to split open; to burst

consists of

2.1 宀 mián — roof/house radical, shelter
宀 is a component in 48 characters
HSK 1
字 zì written character; word 它 tā third-person pronoun for non-human things; it 宜 yí suitable, appropriate 客 kè guest; visitor (opposite of 主) 家 jiā family; household as a social unit based on marriage and kinship
HSK 2
完 wán complete; whole; intact 室 shì room; chamber
HSK 3
安 ān safe, secure; opposite of '危' 定 dìng calm; stable 实 shí solid, filled completely with no gaps (opposite of "虚") 害 hài harm; disadvantage (opposite of 利、益) 容 róng to contain; to hold; to have capacity for
Show more HSK 3 characters (+2)
宾 bīn guest (opposite of "主" host) 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually
HSK 4
寄 jì to entrust; to place one's trust in 富 fù wealthy; rich in resources (opposite of "贫" and "穷") 察 chá to observe closely; to investigate; to examine
HSK 5
守 shǒu to defend, guard (opposite of 攻) 宝 bǎo treasure; precious thing 宠 chǒng to dote on; to indulge with excessive affection (often from a superior to an inferior) 宣 xuān to announce publicly; to spread, disseminate 宽 kuān wide; broad (opposite of narrow)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+2)
宿 sù to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight 寓 yù to reside temporarily; to lodge
HSK 6
宅 zhái residence; dwelling 宏 hóng grand; vast 官 guān government or military official of a certain rank 审 shěn detailed; thorough 宫 gōng palace (residence of emperor, empress, crown prince, etc.)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+6)
宴 yàn to host a banquet; to feast together 宵 xiāo night 寂 jì quiet, silent 寞 mò quiet and desolate; lonely 灾 zāi disaster caused by nature or human activity 牢 láo (lit.) pen or enclosure for livestock or wild animals
HSK 7
奥 ào southwest corner of a house in ancient times; inner recess of a room 宁 níng peaceful; tranquil 宇 yǔ eaves; by extension, a house or building 宗 zōng ancestor 宙 zhòu all time; eternity (past and present)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+8)
宪 xiàn (lit.) laws and decrees 宰 zǎi to oversee; to preside over 寐 mèi (lit.) to fall asleep; to sleep 寝 qǐn to sleep 寡 guǎ widowed (of a woman) 寥 liáo sparse; few 穴 xué cave; pit or hole in the ground or a structure 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile
2.2 疋 yǎ — elegant, refined; classical
疋 is a component in 6 characters
HSK 1
蛋 dàn egg (of birds, turtles, snakes, etc.); a shelled ovum that can hatch if fertilized
HSK 3
定 dìng calm; stable 楚 chǔ vitex (a type of deciduous shrub, as referenced in classical texts)
HSK 7
嚏 tì (lit.) to sneeze 婿 xù husband 疏 shū sparse; wide apart (opposite of 密)

Stroke order

3 俗 sú — custom; social habit or convention formed over time

俗 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

3.1 亻 rén — person/human radical (standing figure)
亻 is a component in 117 characters
HSK 1
什 shén see "什么": ① interrogative pronoun; ② indefinite reference; ③ universal reference (used before 也/都); ④ surprise or dissatisfaction; ⑤ reproach; ⑥ disagreement; ⑦ non-exhaustive enumeration 他 tā third-person pronoun, generally male, sometimes gender-neutral (he/him; they) 们 men suffix added to pronouns or nouns referring to people to indicate plural 件 jiàn measure word for individual items 休 xiū to stop; to cease (something)
Show more HSK 1 characters (+6)
住 zhù to reside; to stay (permanently or temporarily) 作 zuò to work; to make; to produce 你 nǐ you (second person singular pronoun) 便 biàn convenient; to make convenient, smooth, without difficulty or obstruction 候 hòu to wait; to await 做 zuò to make; to manufacture (a physical object)
HSK 2
但 dàn only, merely 位 wèi position; location 体 tǐ the whole body of a person or animal; by extension, a part of the body 游 yóu unfixed; constantly moving
HSK 3
信 xìn letter; written message 借 jiè to borrow (something to be returned later) 假 jiǎ false; fake; not genuine, opposite of "真" 健 jiàn to strengthen; to make robust 像 xiàng portrait, image, or sculpture made in the likeness of a person or object
Show more HSK 3 characters (+2)
化 huà to change in nature or form; to transform 复 fù to repeat; to do more than once
HSK 4
仅 jǐn only; merely 仍 réng still; as before; unchanged 仔 zǎi (dial.) young man 付 fù to submit; to hand over 价 jià price; the monetary value of goods
Show more HSK 4 characters (+20)
任 rèn to appoint; to assign to a post 份 fèn a portion or share of a whole divided into parts 优 yōu excellent; superior (opposite of 劣) 伙 huǒ meals; food provisions 估 gū to estimate, to reckon approximately 低 dī low (opposite of 'high'); close to the ground 何 hé interrogative pronoun: ① what ② where ③ why 使 shǐ to dispatch; to order about 例 lì example; instance used as a reference or model 供 gōng to supply; to provide money or goods for those in need 保 bǎo to guard and protect from harm or loss 俩 liǎ two (cannot be followed by 个 or other measure words) 倍 bèi a multiple; a number equal to another multiplied by a given factor 倒 dǎo to fall down; to topple over 值 zhí price; value; numerical value 停 tíng to stop, to cease moving 偶 ǒu idol; figure made of wood or clay 傅 fù (lit.) to assist; to instruct 傲 ào arrogant; proud 夜 yè night (from dusk to dawn), opposite of '日'/'昼'
HSK 5
亿 yì one hundred million 代 dài to substitute; to replace 仿 fǎng to imitate; to follow as a model 伍 wǔ a military unit of five soldiers in ancient times; now refers to the army in general 伟 wěi great; sublime; inspiring reverence
Show more HSK 5 characters (+16)
传 chuán to pass from one party to another; to hand down from generation to generation 伴 bàn companion; partner 伸 shēn to stretch out; to extend 似 sì to resemble; to be like 佛 fó Buddha (abbrev. of Sanskrit transliteration '佛陀'); esp. Shakyamuni, founder of Buddhism 佳 jiā beautiful, good 依 yī to lean on; to rely on, to depend on 促 cù short (of time) 俗 sú custom; social habit or convention formed over time 倡 chàng to initiate; to advocate 傍 bàng to be close to; to be beside 催 cuī to urge; to press someone to act quickly 傻 shǎ foolish, stupid 宿 sù to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight 拖 tuō to drag (an object along a surface) 施 shī to implement; to exert
HSK 6
仗 zhàng general term for ancient weapons 仪 yí appearance and bearing; demeanor 仰 yǎng face upward (opposite of 俯, to face downward) 佩 pèi to wear (on one's person); to carry at one's side 侄 zhí nephew (son of a brother or male peer; also used for a friend's son)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+6)
侧 cè side; lateral (opposite of 'front/upright') 俱 jù all, entirely 倾 qīng to tilt; to lean 偷 tōu to steal; to take something without the owner's knowledge 偿 cháng to repay; to compensate 储 chǔ to save, to store up
HSK 7
仁 rén benevolence; the Confucian moral concept centered on compassion, love, and altruism 仆 pú servant hired to do household chores 仇 chóu enemy; foe 仙 xiān immortal; a person with supernatural abilities in mythology 仲 zhòng second among siblings (after 伯, before 叔)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+33)
伏 fú to lean forward onto something; to lie face down, prostrate 伐 fá to chop (a tree); to fell 伦 lún generation; kind; category 伪 wěi false; fake; deceitful (opposite of 真) 伯 bó uncle (father's elder brother) 伺 sì to watch; to lie in wait 佑 yòu to assist and protect 佣 yōng to hire or be hired 侃 kǎn (lit.) upright and forthright 侈 chǐ wasteful; extravagant 侍 shì to serve, attend upon, wait on someone 侠 xiá a chivalrous person or act of helping the oppressed through personal strength 侣 lǚ companion; partner 侥 jiǎo 见"侥幸": to gain benefit or avoid misfortune by chance 侦 zhēn to spy; to secretly investigate or scout 侨 qiáo to reside abroad 侮 wǔ to bully, to treat with contempt 侵 qīn to invade, to encroach on others' rights 俊 jùn handsome; good-looking (opposite of ugly) 俏 qiào handsome; good-looking; nimble and graceful 俘 fú prisoner of war; captive 俭 jiǎn frugal, thrifty (opposite of 奢) 俯 fǔ to bow one's head, face downward (opposite of 仰) 倔 juè straightforward in character, blunt in speech 倘 tǎng if; supposing that 倚 yǐ to lean against 倦 juàn tired, weary 债 zhài debt (money owed to others) 偏 piān not straight; off-center; tilted (opposite of 正) 僚 liáo government official 僧 sēng Buddhist monk 僵 jiāng stiff, rigid (of limbs) 僻 pì remote, far from the center
3.2 谷 gǔ — narrow valley between two mountains; ravine
谷 is a component in 6 characters
HSK 3
容 róng to contain; to hold; to have capacity for
HSK 5
俗 sú custom; social habit or convention formed over time
HSK 6
欲 yù desire; craving for something or wish to achieve a goal 浴 yù to bathe; to take a bath 裕 yù abundant, ample
HSK 7
豁 huō chipped; cracked; split open

Stroke order

4 成 chéng — to accomplish; to succeed; to complete (opposite of 败)
成 is a component in 3 characters
HSK 3
城 chéng city wall
HSK 4
诚 chéng sincere, genuine (of one's heart or intentions)
HSK 6
盛 shèng prosperous; flourishing

consists of

4.1 戊 wù — fifth of the ten Heavenly Stems; denotes fifth in order
戊 is a component in 6 characters
HSK 3
成 chéng to accomplish; to succeed; to complete (opposite of 败)
HSK 4
咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 戚 qi
HSK 5
威 wēi authority or power that commands awe and respect
HSK 7
茂 mào lush, (of plants) growing abundantly and vigorously 蔑 miè (lit.) nothing, without
4.2 丁 dīng — the fourth of the ten Heavenly Stems, used to indicate fourth in order
丁 is a component in 13 characters
HSK 1
可 kě yes; correct; to permit 打 dǎ to strike or hit with hand or tool
HSK 3
成 chéng to accomplish; to succeed; to complete (opposite of 败) 灯 dēng lamp; light (device for illumination or using light for a purpose) 行 xíng to walk; to go
HSK 4
厅 tīng large room for gatherings or receiving guests; hall 订 dìng to correct, to revise (errors in text)
HSK 6
顶 dǐng the top or highest part of a person or object
HSK 7
亭 tíng pavilion; open-sided roofed structure for rest, built by a road or in a garden 叮 dīng to sting or bite (of mosquitoes, etc., piercing skin to suck blood) 宁 níng peaceful; tranquil 盯 dīng to fix one's gaze on; to stare at 钉 dīng nail; pin; tack (a slender object made of metal, wood, or bamboo that can be driven into another object)

Stroke order