素

sù

HSK 7

素 — sù

1. raw silk

   古代用丝素做衣料。 gǔdài yòng sīsù zuò yīliào — In ancient times raw silk was used to make clothing.

2. plain; unadorned; simple (appearance)

   她喜欢穿素色的衣服，感觉很典雅。 tā xǐhuān chuān sùsè de yīfú gǎnjué hěn diǎnyǎ — She likes to wear plain-colored clothes; they feel elegant.

3. vegetarian (food); meatless

   我们去吃素吧，那里有很多素菜。 wǒmen qù chīsù ba nàlǐ yǒu hěnduō sùcài — Let's eat vegetarian; they have many vegetarian dishes there.

4. essence; nature; element; constituent

   教育的核心在于培养学生的素质。 jiàoyù de héxīn zàiyú péiyǎng xuéshēng de sùzhì — The core of education lies in cultivating students' qualities (essence).

5. usually; always; ever (literary/archaic adverbial use)

   君子素有诚信之名。 jūnzǐ sùyǒu chéngxìn zhī míng — A gentleman has always been known for his integrity.