实惠

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shíhuì: 实惠 - Good Value, Tangible Benefit, Practical

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: shíhuì, 实惠, what does shihui mean, shihui Chinese, good value in Chinese, practical benefit Chinese, Chinese word for bargain, affordable Chinese,性价比, 划算, 物美价廉
  • 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.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 这家餐厅的菜又好吃又实惠，我们经常来。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài yòu hǎochī yòu shíhuì, wǒmen jīngcháng lái.
    • English: The food at this restaurant is both delicious and a great value, so we come here often.
    • Analysis: This is a classic use of 实惠 to praise a restaurant. It implies the price is very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food.
  • Example 2:
    • 这件羽绒服打完折才200块，太实惠了！
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yǔróngfú dǎ wán zhé cái liǎng bǎi kuài, tài shíhuì le!
    • English: This down jacket was only 200 RMB after the discount, what a steal!
    • Analysis: Here, 实惠 is used to express satisfaction with a purchase. It's not just cheap; it's a high-value item (a down jacket) for a low price.
  • Example 3:
    • 比起A套餐，B套餐多两个菜，价格却一样，更实惠一些。
    • Pinyin: Bǐqǐ A tàocān, B tàocān duō liǎng gè cài, jiàgé què yīyàng, gèng shíhuì yīxiē.
    • English: Compared to Set Menu A, Set Menu B has two extra dishes for the same price, so it's a better value.
    • Analysis: This shows how 实惠 is used in comparisons to determine the most practical and advantageous option.
  • Example 4:
    • 加入会员，你能得到很多实惠，比如免费停车和购物折扣。
    • Pinyin: Jiārù huìyuán, nǐ néng dédào hěn duō shíhuì, bǐrú miǎnfèi tíngchē hé gòuwù zhékòu.
    • English: If you become a member, you can get a lot of tangible benefits, like free parking and shopping discounts.
    • Analysis: In this sentence, 实惠 is used as a noun, meaning “real perks” or “material benefits.”
  • Example 5:
    • 别跟我说那些虚的，来点儿实惠的吧。
    • Pinyin: Bié gēn wǒ shuō nàxiē xū de, lái diǎnr shíhuì de ba.
    • English: Don't give me that empty talk, give me something concrete/tangible.
    • Analysis: This highlights the “real” and “tangible” nature of 实惠. The speaker is asking for practical benefits, not abstract promises.
  • Example 6:
    • 他这个人很实惠，从不说空话，做事很踏实。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén hěn shíhuì, cóng bù shuō kōnghuà, zuòshì hěn tāshi.
    • English: He's a very down-to-earth person; he never makes empty promises and is very reliable in his work.
    • Analysis: An example of 实惠 used to describe a person's character as being practical, reliable, and genuine.
  • Example 7:
    • 这个手机虽然不是最新款，但功能齐全，价格也实惠，性价比很高。
    • Pinyin: Zhège shǒujī suīrán búshì zuìxīn kuǎn, dàn gōngnéng qíquán, jiàgé yě shíhuì, xìngjiàbǐ hěn gāo.
    • 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.
  • Example 10:
    • 这种包装大于内容的礼盒一点儿也不实惠。
    • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng bāozhuāng dàyú nèiróng de lǐhé yīdiǎnr yě bù shíhuì.
    • 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.