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HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#86

Expressing “So-Called” with “suǒwèi”

所谓

suǒwèi

How it works

所谓 (suǒwèi) means “so-called.” It is used to introduce a term, concept, or expression that is about to be explained, questioned, or discussed.

Depending on context, it may sound:

neutral and explanatory

skeptical

ironic

analytical

The pattern

所谓 (suǒwèi) + Noun / Clause

Example sentences

所谓经验,并不是做同一件事做得久,而是能从过去的经历当中总结出规律。

Suǒwèi jīngyàn, bìng bú shì zuò tóng yí jiàn shì zuò de jiǔ, ér shì néng cóng guòqù de jīnglì dāngzhōng zǒngjié chū guīlǜ.

So-called experience does not mean doing the same thing for a long time, but being able to draw patterns from past experience.

他口中的所谓“自由”,其实只是想不负责任而已。

Tā kǒuzhōng de suǒwèi “zìyóu”, qíshí zhǐshì xiǎng bù fù zérèn éryǐ.

The so-called “freedom” he talks about is actually just a desire to avoid responsibility.

我们不能只停留在所谓理论层面,而忽视现实问题。

Wǒmen bù néng zhǐ tíngliú zài suǒwèi lǐlùn céngmiàn, ér hūshì xiànshí wèntí.

We cannot remain only at the so-called theoretical level while ignoring real problems.

Key point

所谓 (suǒwèi) can be neutral or critical depending on tone and context.

Source: HelloMandarin · Revised edition, 2026 · PDF p. 280.

Old_HSK_1-6_Grammar_Points_2.0.pdf

Old six-level teaching collection. This is an independent learning reference.

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