Keywords: xianzhu, 显著, xiǎnzhù, significant in Chinese, notable in Chinese, marked improvement Chinese, prominent Chinese meaning, how to use xianzhu, HSK 5 vocabulary, Chinese formal language
Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 显著 (xiǎnzhù), a key Chinese adjective for describing something as “significant,” “notable,” or “marked.” This page breaks down its characters, cultural context, and practical usage in business, science, and personal development. Discover how 显著 (xiǎnzhù) differs from “important” (重要) and see 10 practical example sentences to master this formal HSK 5 term.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): xiǎnzhù
Part of Speech: Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: Clearly apparent, significant, notable, or prominent.
In a Nutshell:显著 (xiǎnzhù) describes a change, result, or difference that is so large or obvious that it's impossible to miss. It's a formal word, often used to lend weight and objectivity to a statement. Think of it as describing something that “stands out” because of its great degree or effect, like a “marked improvement” in grades or a “significant increase” in sales.
Character Breakdown
显 (xiǎn): This character means “to show,” “to appear,” or “obvious.” It's composed of 日 (rì, sun) on top and 业 (yè, page/enterprise). Imagine the sun shining down, making everything on the page clearly visible.
著 (zhù): This character has several meanings, but in this context, it means “prominent,” “conspicuous,” or “to make known.” It's the same character used in the word 著名 (zhùmíng - famous).
Together, 显 (xiǎn) and 著 (zhù) create a powerful compound word. 显著 (xiǎnzhù) literally means “obviously prominent” or “visibly conspicuous.” The two characters reinforce each other to describe something that is both clearly seen (显) and stands out in a major way (著).
Cultural Context and Significance
A Word for Progress and Data: While not a term from ancient philosophy, 显著 (xiǎnzhù) is incredibly significant in modern China. Its usage is deeply tied to the cultural emphasis on progress, development, and quantifiable results. In a society focused on economic growth, scientific achievement, and measurable improvement, 显著 is the go-to word to describe successful outcomes. You will constantly see it in news reports about the economy, scientific papers detailing experimental results, and company reports on quarterly performance.
Comparison to “Significant”: In English, “significant” can be quite abstract. A “significant look” might be subtle, and a “statistically significant” result might be small but mathematically important. 显著 (xiǎnzhù), however, carries a much stronger connotation of being perceptibly large or obvious. A change described as 显著 is one you can easily see or measure. It’s less about subtle importance and more about visible, undeniable magnitude. While a hidden flaw in a plan could be “important” (重要), it would not be described as 显著.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formality:显著 is a formal word. It belongs in written reports, news articles, academic discussions, business presentations, and formal speeches. Using it in casual conversation about everyday topics (like a “significant” sandwich) would sound unnatural and overly dramatic. In casual chat, you would more likely use `很明显 (hěn míngxiǎn - very obvious)` or `变化很大 (biànhuà hěn dà - the change is very big)`.
Common Collocations (Word Pairings):
显著提高 (xiǎnzhù tígāo): a significant increase/improvement
English: This new medicine has a significant curative effect on treating this disease.
Analysis: Common in scientific and medical contexts to describe clear, positive results from a treatment.
Example 4:
两个实验组的结果存在显著差异。
Pinyin: Liǎng ge shíyàn zǔ de jiéguǒ cúnzài xiǎnzhù chāyì.
English: There is a significant difference between the results of the two experimental groups.
Analysis: This is the standard phrase for “statistically significant difference” in academic and research writing.
Example 5:
新政策的实施，显著地改善了当地的空气质量。
Pinyin: Xīn zhèngcè de shíshī, xiǎnzhù de gǎishàn le dāngdì de kōngqì zhìliàng.
English: The implementation of the new policy significantly improved the local air quality.
Analysis: Here, 显著 is used adverbially with `地 (de)` to modify the verb `改善 (gǎishàn)`.
Example 6:
与去年相比，我们公司的利润有了显著提升。
Pinyin: Yǔ qùnián xiāng bǐ, wǒmen gōngsī de lìrùn yǒu le xiǎnzhù tíshēng.
English: Compared to last year, our company's profits have had a significant increase.
Analysis: A typical sentence you would find in a business report or presentation.
Example 7:
这座城市近十年来的变化非常显著，高楼大厦随处可见。
Pinyin: Zhè zuò chéngshì jìn shí nián lái de biànhuà fēicháng xiǎnzhù, gāolóu dàshà suíchù kějiàn.
English: The changes in this city over the past ten years have been very notable; skyscrapers are visible everywhere.
Analysis: Used here to describe large-scale, visible physical changes.
Example 8:
采用新技术后，生产效率得到了显著的提高。
Pinyin: Cǎiyòng xīn jìshù hòu, shēngchǎn xiàolǜ dédào le xiǎnzhù de tígāo.
English: After adopting the new technology, production efficiency was significantly improved.
Analysis: This highlights the clear, positive impact of a specific action.
Example 9:
他的态度发生了显著的转变，从消极变得积极。
Pinyin: Tā de tàidù fāshēng le xiǎnzhù de zhuǎnbiàn, cóng xiāojí biàn de jījí.
English: His attitude underwent a notable transformation, changing from negative to positive.
Analysis: Demonstrates that 显著 can also describe abstract changes, as long as they are clear and obvious.
Example 10:
在团队中，他的贡献尤为显著。
Pinyin: Zài tuánduì zhōng, tā de gòngxiàn yóuwéi xiǎnzhù.
English: Within the team, his contribution was particularly prominent.
Analysis: Here, 显著 means “prominent” or “standing out.” `尤为 (yóuwéi)` is a formal way to say “especially.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using it in casual conversation.
Incorrect: `哇，你今天的发型很显著！(Wā, nǐ jīntiān de fàxíng hěn xiǎnzhù!)`
Reason: This is too formal and sounds strange. It's like saying “Your hairstyle today is of a notable magnitude!” in English.
Correct: `哇，你今天的发型很特别！(Wā, nǐ jīntiān de fàxíng hěn tèbié!)` - “Wow, your hairstyle is really special today!”
Mistake 2: Confusing 显著 (xiǎnzhù) with 重要 (zhòngyào).
This is the most important distinction for a learner to grasp.
重要 (zhòngyào) means “important.” It refers to value, consequence, or necessity.
显著 (xiǎnzhù) means “significant” or “notable.” It refers to the degree or visibility of something.
Example: The final screw in an airplane engine is very 重要 (important), but its size is not 显著 (notable/prominent). A giant, colorful billboard is very 显著 (prominent), but the advertisement on it may not be 重要 (important).
Sentence: `这个细节虽然不显著，但是非常重要。` (This detail, although not prominent, is very important.)
Related Terms and Concepts
明显 (míngxiǎn) - Obvious, clear. A close synonym and more common in daily speech. 显著 implies a large degree or scale, while 明显 just means “easy to see.” A small crack can be 明显, but not 显著.
突出 (tūchū) - Prominent, outstanding. Often used to describe something that physically juts out or a person's exceptional performance. It overlaps with the “prominent” meaning of 显著.
重大 (zhòngdà) - Major, significant, momentous. This word emphasizes the great importance and scale of an event, decision, or discovery. A `重大发现` (major discovery) is likely also a `显著成果` (significant result).
重要 (zhòngyào) - Important. Describes something's value or consequence, not its visibility or magnitude.
巨大 (jùdà) - Huge, enormous. A word focused purely on size. A `巨大` change is almost always a `显著` one, but `巨大` describes the size, while `显著` describes the noticeability of the effect.
成效 (chéngxiào) - Effect, result (usually positive). Often paired with 显著 to mean “significant results.”
改善 (gǎishàn) - To improve, improvement. Often modified by 显著, as in `显著改善` (significant improvement).
差异 (chāyì) - Difference, disparity. Used in formal and technical contexts, often with 显著 in statistics.