shíhuì: 实惠 - Good Value, Tangible Benefit, Practical
Quick Summary
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Summary: Discover the meaning of 实惠 (shíhuì), a core concept in Chinese culture that goes beyond “cheap” to mean “good value for money” or “tangible benefit.” This page explains how shíhuì represents the ideal combination of affordability, quality, and practicality, making it a highly sought-after quality in everything from food and products to business deals. Learn how to use this essential HSK 5 word to sound like a native and understand the pragmatic mindset in modern China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): shíhuì
Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: Offering tangible, material benefits or good value for the cost; worthwhile and practical.
In a Nutshell:实惠 (shíhuì) is the wonderful feeling of getting a great deal that is also high quality and genuinely useful. It’s not just about being inexpensive; it's about the price being more than fair for the quantity or quality you receive. Think of a restaurant that gives you huge, delicious portions for a reasonable price, or a winter coat that's warm, durable, and on sale. That satisfying feeling of a smart, practical purchase is the essence of 实惠.
Character Breakdown
实 (shí): This character means “real,” “solid,” “actual,” or “true.” It points to something tangible and concrete, not abstract or imaginary.
惠 (huì): This character means “benefit,” “favor,” or “kindness.” It implies receiving an advantage or a gain.
Together, 实惠 (shíhuì) literally translates to “real benefit” or “solid advantage.” This perfectly captures the meaning: you're not just saving money, you're gaining something of real, substantial value.
Cultural Context and Significance
Pragmatism as a Virtue: In Chinese culture, pragmatism and living frugally without sacrificing quality are highly respected values. 实惠 is the embodiment of this mindset. Praising something as 实惠 is a high compliment, suggesting it's a smart, sensible choice. It reflects a desire to avoid wastefulness and get the most tangible value out of one's money and effort.
Comparison to “Bang for Your Buck”: The closest Western concept is “good value” or “bang for your buck.” However, 实惠 feels more ingrained as a cultural principle. While “bang for your buck” often focuses on getting a good deal (a transactional win), 实惠 also carries a strong sense of practicality and substance. It's the direct opposite of the idiom 华而不实 (huá ér bù shí), which means “flashy but without substance.” Chinese consumer culture often prioritizes 实惠 over brand names or flashy marketing, focusing on what a product or service actually delivers.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Shopping and Dining: This is the most common context. You'll hear it constantly when people discuss prices, products, or restaurants. A meal can be 实惠 because the portions are large, and a piece of clothing can be 实惠 because it's durable and affordable.
Receiving Benefits (as a Noun): You can also “get” 实惠. In this case, it functions as a noun meaning “tangible benefits” or “real perks.” For example, a new company policy might give employees some 实惠 (like a transportation subsidy or free meals).
Describing People: Less commonly, a person can be described as 实惠. This means they are down-to-earth, genuine, and not pretentious. They are practical and what you see is what you get.
English: Although this phone isn't the newest model, it has all the necessary functions and the price is great value, so its cost-performance ratio is high.
Analysis: This sentence directly links 实惠 with the modern concept of 性价比 (xìngjiàbǐ), or cost-performance ratio.
Example 8:
政府给农民的补贴，是真正看得到的实惠。
Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gěi nóngmín de bǔtiē, shì zhēnzhèng kàn dédào de shíhuì.
English: The subsidies the government gives to farmers are real, tangible benefits that can be seen.
Analysis: Using 实惠 as a noun in a formal context, referring to government policy. It emphasizes that the benefits are concrete and not just on paper.
Example 9:
在网上买东西就是为了图个实惠。
Pinyin: Zài wǎngshàng mǎi dōngxi jiùshì wèile tú ge shíhuì.
English: The whole point of shopping online is to get a good value.
Analysis: 图个 (tú ge) is a colloquial phrase meaning “to be after” or “for the sake of.” People shop online for the sake of getting 实惠.
English: This kind of gift box where the packaging is bigger than the contents is not a good value at all.
Analysis: A negative example showing what 实惠 is not. It critiques something that is “flashy but not substantive” (华而不实).
Nuances and Common Mistakes
False Friend: `实惠 (shíhuì)` vs. `便宜 (piányi)`
This is the most critical distinction for learners. 便宜 (piányi) simply means “cheap” or “inexpensive.” It can sometimes carry a negative connotation of low quality. 实惠 means “good value.” Something can be 便宜 but not 实惠.
Correct: `这件毛衣质量很好，而且在打折，真实惠。` (This sweater is good quality and on sale, it's a great value.)
Incorrect: `这个玩具买回来就坏了，虽然很便宜，但真实惠。` (This toy broke as soon as I bought it. Even though it was cheap, it was a great value.)
Why it's wrong: The toy was not a good value because it was useless. It was only 便宜 (cheap), not 实惠 (a good value).
`实惠` vs. “Practical”
While 实惠 implies practicality, its core meaning is tied to gaining a tangible benefit, usually economic. The English word “practical” has a broader meaning. For example, you could say “learning to drive is practical,” but you wouldn't say it's 实惠 unless you were specifically talking about saving money on taxis. 实惠 is about the value exchange.
Related Terms and Concepts
便宜 (piányi) - Cheap; inexpensive. The key term to distinguish from 实惠. 便宜 is about low price, while 实惠 is about high value.
划算 (huásuàn) - Cost-effective; a good deal. A very close synonym for 实惠, often used interchangeably. 划算 might focus slightly more on the mental calculation of the deal being worthwhile.
性价比 (xìngjiàbǐ) - Cost-performance ratio. A more modern and technical term. Something that is 实惠 has a high 性价比.
优惠 (yōuhuì) - A discount, promotion, or special offer. An 优惠 is a specific action (like a coupon) that can lead to a purchase being 实惠.
物美价廉 (wù měi jià lián) - An idiom meaning “high quality goods at a low price.” It is a four-character phrase that perfectly describes the concept of 实惠.
好处 (hǎochu) - Benefit; advantage. This is a general term. 实惠 is a specific kind of 好处—one that is concrete, tangible, and often material.
实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì) - An idiom meaning “to seek truth from facts.” While not directly related in meaning, it shares the character 实 (shí) and the underlying cultural appreciation for what is real, practical, and true.