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HSK 4

态度

attitude; manner

nounneutral
tài4th tone
4th tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
tàidu
Part of speech
noun
Level
HSK 4
Strokes
17
Register
neutral
Measure word
种 / 个

Stroke order for 态度

态度 is written with 17 strokes (: 8, : 9). The animation replays automatically.

What does 态度 mean?

态度 (tàidu) is a noun meaning 'attitude,' 'manner,' or 'stance' — the way a person outwardly behaves toward a task, situation, or another person.

It covers two English senses at once: your inner disposition (an optimistic 态度) and your visible conduct (a rude or polite 态度). A key difference from English 'attitude' is that Chinese uses 态度 neutrally and often morally: employers, teachers, and parents constantly evaluate whether someone's 态度 is (good), 认真 (serious), or 不好 (bad), so it functions less as a personality label and more as a judgment of effort and respect.

Note that English 'he has an attitude' (meaning defiant) does NOT translate to 有态度; the closest is 态度不好. The second syllable is toneless here (tàidu), not tàidù.

Note: Works in both spoken and written Chinese. In workplace and school contexts, 态度 often carries a moral weight English 'attitude' lacks — a person's 态度 is judged as good or bad, sincere or not.

Character by character

tàiform; state; condition; bearing
+
degree; measure; extent
=
态度

Memory hook: Your outward 'state + degree' — how much of yourself you show toward something — is your attitude.

Example sentences

他的工作态度很认真。

Tā de gōngzuò tàidu hěn rènzhēn.

His attitude toward work is very serious.

neutral

服务员态度很好,我们都很满意。

Fúwùyuán tàidu hěn hǎo, wǒmen dōu hěn mǎnyì.

The waiter's manner was great; we were all satisfied.

spoken

你应该改变一下学习态度。

Nǐ yīnggāi gǎibiàn yíxià xuéxí tàidu.

You should change your attitude toward studying a bit.

neutral

对这个问题,公司的态度很明确。

Duì zhège wèntí, gōngsī de tàidu hěn míngquè.

On this issue, the company's stance is very clear.

written

Common phrases with 态度

态度好tàidu hǎohave a good attitude
工作态度gōngzuò tàiduwork attitude
态度认真tàidu rènzhēnhave a serious/earnest attitude
改变态度gǎibiàn tàiduchange one's attitude

Synonyms

看法kànfǎ

看法 is a 'view' or 'opinion' about a topic — what you think. 态度 is how you behave or your stance toward it. You can have a 看法 about a movie but a 态度 toward your job.

立场lìchǎng

立场 is a firm 'position' or 'stance,' usually in debate, politics, or negotiation. 态度 is broader and more about everyday manner and disposition.

Don't confuse 态度 with

状态zhuàngtài

状态 means 'state' or 'condition' (physical or mental shape), e.g. 状态不好 = 'not in good shape.' 态度 is about attitude/manner toward something. They share the character but are not interchangeable.

FAQ

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