To subdue a person and make them kneel in service.
Clothing; to take medicine; to obey or be convinced. A hand (又) controlling a kneeling person (卩) beside a boat (月/舟).
服
Common Usage & Traps
- 衣服 — clothes
- 舒服 — comfortable
-
服衣服衣服衣服 already means clothes. Do not add 服 in front.
-
我买服我买衣服服 is not used alone to mean clothes in HSK 1. Use 衣服.
Can 服 be used alone as a word?
No. In HSK 1, 服 is a bound character and needs a partner like 衣 or 舒.
Learners often see 服 in 衣服 and 舒服 and try to use it alone. That sounds wrong. 服 is not a standalone HSK 1 word for clothes or comfort. Use the full word.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | 衣服 | 服 |
| Meaning | clothes | not used alone |
| Example | 我买衣服。 | 我买服。 |
What is the difference between 衣服 and 舒服?
衣服 means clothes. 舒服 means comfortable. They share 服 but are not related in meaning here.
Both words contain 服, but 衣服 is a noun for clothes, and 舒服 is an adjective for feeling comfortable. Do not mix them. For example, 我穿衣服 is natural. 我穿舒服 is wrong.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Word | 衣服 | 舒服 |
| Meaning | clothes | comfortable |
| Example | 我穿衣服。 | 我穿舒服。 |
Appears in Stories 6 stories
Read about a work trip to Beijing where a group of colleagues takes a very large airplane. Practice weather words and actions in a simple travel story.
-
我们有些人穿的 衣服 很少。
-
我找了一件 衣服 给他们。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
-
东晋的朝廷一直希望他出来做官， 服务 天子。
-
这是一个褒义词，表达的是鼓励和 佩服 。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
-
对面做 服装 的老总接话说，那你还撑什么。
-
服务员 过来要撤，他说，放着吧，等会儿还喝。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
-
看着这，老北京们心里当然 不舒服 。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
-
一两件新 衣服 ，两三本汉语书。
This simple story introduces you to a family and what each member likes to do. Learn helpful words for food and daily activities as you read about Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and the kids.
-
姐姐买 衣服 。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
No questions or discussions yet. Have a question about this character/word? Be the first to ask!