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HSK 4

标准

standard; criterion

nounneutral1 episode
标
biāo1st tone
准
zhǔn3rd tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
biāozhǔn
Part of speech
noun
Level
HSK 4
Strokes
19
Register
neutral
Measure word
个 / 项
In episodes
1

Stroke order for 标准

标准 is written with 19 strokes (标: 9, 准: 10). The animation replays automatically.

What does 标准 mean?

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

标biāomark; label; sign
+
准zhǔnaccurate; exact; to permit
=
标准

Memory hook: A 'mark' (标) that is 'accurate' (准) — the accurate mark everything is measured against: the standard.

Hear 标准 in real episodes

标准 appears in 1 Fluentide podcast episode at natural native speed. Each sentence plays at the easiest difficulty it exists in — switch it to hear the same moment at your level, with full pinyin and English throughout.

检查以后发现,这种奶粉的营养,都达不到国家标准。

Tests found that its nutrients didn't meet national standards.

Fake Honey, Fake Camel Milk, Diet Sweets and 'Ghost Takeout': China's Top Court Publishes Typical Online Food-Safety Crimes

Difficulty
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Example sentences

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

Common phrases with 标准

达到标准dádào biāozhǔnto meet the standard
标准答案biāozhǔn dá'ànthe standard (correct) answer
生活标准shēnghuó biāozhǔnstandard of living
标准普通话biāozhǔn pǔtōnghuàstandard Mandarin
国家标准guójiā biāozhǔnnational standard

Synonyms

规范guīfàn

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.

水平shuǐpíng

水平 means 'level' — how good something is on a scale. 标准 is the fixed line that separates pass from fail; 水平 describes where on the spectrum something sits.

Don't confuse 标准 with

标签biāoqiān

标签 means 'label; tag' — a physical or metaphorical sticker. It shares the 标 character but is not a benchmark or norm.

准备zhǔnbèi

准备 means 'to prepare.' It shares 准 with 标准 but is a completely different verb; do not conflate the two.

Frequently asked questions

Related words from the same episodes

Acquire it by listening

Meet 标准 again — in real Chinese, at your level.

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