standard; criterion
HSK level
标准 is written with 19 strokes (标: 9, 准: 10). The animation replays automatically.
标准 (biāozhǔn) is both a noun meaning 'standard, criterion, or benchmark' and an adjective meaning 'standard, textbook, conforming to the norm.'
As a noun it names the yardstick against which things are measured — 达到标准 (to meet the standard), 检查标准 (inspection criteria). As an adjective it praises accuracy: 标准的普通话 is 'perfectly standard Mandarin' with a flawless accent. This dual noun/adjective flexibility is what surprises English speakers, who need two separate words ('standard' vs 'a standard').
Note that 标准 leans toward objective, measurable norms; for subjective 'levels' or 'grades' Chinese prefers 水平 (level) or 程度 (degree). Calling someone's pronunciation 很标准 is a specific, common compliment meaning it sounds exactly like the model.
Note: Neutral; equally at home in everyday speech and formal or technical writing. As an adjective ('standard, textbook-perfect') it is common and complimentary in speech.
Character by character
Memory hook: A 'mark' (标) that is 'accurate' (准) — the accurate mark everything is measured against: the standard.
标准 appears in 10 Fluentide podcast episodes at natural native speed — each with the full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
你的中文发音很标准。
Nǐ de Zhōngwén fāyīn hěn biāozhǔn.
Your Chinese pronunciation is very standard.
spoken
这个产品达到了国家标准。
Zhège chǎnpǐn dádào le guójiā biāozhǔn.
This product meets the national standard.
written
每个人的标准都不一样。
Měi ge rén de biāozhǔn dōu bù yíyàng.
Everyone has different standards.
neutral
老师给了我们一个标准答案。
Lǎoshī gěi le wǒmen yí ge biāozhǔn dá'àn.
The teacher gave us a standard answer.
neutral
规范 stresses a formal set of rules or norms to follow (writing conventions, industry regulations). 标准 is the benchmark you measure against; 规范 is the code of conduct you comply with.
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