措施

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cuòshī: 措施 - Measure, Step

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 措施, cuoshi, Chinese for measure, Chinese for step, take measures in Chinese, what does cuoshi mean, cuoshi vs banfa, formal Chinese word for action, HSK 5 vocabulary
  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 措施 (cuòshī), which translates to “measure” or “step.” Discover how this formal HSK 5 term is used by governments, businesses, and individuals to describe concrete actions taken to solve a problem or achieve a goal. This guide explains its meaning, cultural context, and provides numerous example sentences to help you master 措施 (cuòshī) and differentiate it from similar words like 办法 (bànfǎ).

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): cuòshī
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: A measure or step, typically formal and planned, taken to deal with a particular situation.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 措施 (cuòshī) as the official “action plan.” It isn't just any random action; it's a specific, deliberate step or set of steps designed to address a problem, improve a situation, or achieve a specific objective. It carries a sense of formality and seriousness, often used in contexts like government policy, company regulations, or public safety procedures.

Character Breakdown

  • 措 (cuò): The left side is the “hand” radical (扌), which is present in many characters related to actions or handling things. The character as a whole means “to arrange,” “to handle,” or “to put in place.”
  • 施 (shī): This character means “to implement,” “to execute,” or “to carry out.” Think of it as putting a plan into action.
  • When you combine 措 (cuò), “to arrange,” and 施 (shī), “to implement,” you get 措施 (cuòshī): an arranged and implemented action—in other words, a “measure.”

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 措施 (cuòshī) reflects a structured, often top-down approach to problem-solving that is common in Chinese governance and corporate culture. The term implies that a situation has been carefully analyzed and a deliberate, authoritative solution is being enacted. It stands in contrast to spontaneous, trial-and-error approaches.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, the word “measure” can be quite broad and used in both formal and informal contexts (“I took measures to fix the leaky faucet”). 措施 (cuòshī), however, is almost exclusively used in formal or serious situations. Using it for a simple, personal problem would sound overly dramatic. It speaks to a cultural value placed on order, stability, and systematic problem-solving, where authorities (like a government or company) are expected to take decisive and well-planned action.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Government and Policy: This is the most common context. You will constantly hear 措施 used in news reports about new government regulations, public health initiatives, or economic plans. For example, 安全措施 (ānquán cuòshī) are “safety measures,” and 防疫措施 (fángyì cuòshī) are “epidemic prevention measures.”
  • Business and Management: Companies take 措施 to improve efficiency, handle a crisis, or enforce new rules. For example, a company might announce new 节能措施 (jiénéng cuòshī), or “energy-saving measures.”
  • Formal Personal Plans: While less common, an individual might use 措施 to describe serious steps in a personal plan, like a detailed study regimen. For example, “为了通过考试，我制定了一系列学习措施” (To pass the exam, I created a series of study measures). This sounds much more formal than just saying “I made a study plan.”
  • Connotation: The term is neutral but implies proactivity and responsibility. It suggests that a problem is being addressed seriously.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 政府已经采取紧急措施来控制疫情的蔓延。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ yǐjīng cǎiqǔ jǐnjí cuòshī lái kòngzhì yìqíng de mànyán.
    • English: The government has already taken emergency measures to control the spread of the epidemic.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of 措施 used in a formal, governmental context. The verb 采取 (cǎiqǔ), “to take/adopt,” is the most common verb paired with 措施.
  • Example 2:
    • 公司为了降低成本，实施了一系列新措施。
    • Pinyin: Gōngsī wèile jiàngdī chéngběn, shíshīle yī xìliè xīn cuòshī.
    • English: In order to reduce costs, the company implemented a series of new measures.
    • Analysis: Here, 措施 is used in a business context. The verb 实施 (shíshī), “to implement,” is also frequently used. “A series of” (一系列) often precedes 措施.
  • Example 3:
    • 我们必须采取有效措施来保护我们的环境。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ yǒuxiào cuòshī lái bǎohù wǒmen de huánjìng.
    • English: We must take effective measures to protect our environment.
    • Analysis: This sentence highlights a call to action on a serious issue. “Effective” (有效) is a common adjective used to describe 措施.
  • Example 4:
    • 学校加强了考场内的安全措施以防止作弊。
    • Pinyin: Xuéxiào jiāqiángle kǎochǎng nèi de ānquán cuòshī yǐ fángzhǐ zuòbì.
    • English: The school strengthened security measures in the exam hall to prevent cheating.
    • Analysis: This shows 措施 as part of a compound noun: 安全措施 (ānquán cuòshī), or “safety/security measures.” This is an extremely common phrase.
  • Example 5:
    • 为了提高我的中文，我制定了几个学习措施。
    • Pinyin: Wèile tígāo wǒ de Zhōngwén, wǒ zhìdìngle jǐ ge xuéxí cuòshī.
    • English: In order to improve my Chinese, I formulated several study measures.
    • Analysis: This is a personal but still formal use of the word. It implies a very serious and structured approach to studying, not just a casual plan.
  • Example 6:
    • 这些措施旨在刺激经济增长。
    • Pinyin: Zhèxiē cuòshī zhǐ zài cìjī jīngjì zēngzhǎng.
    • English: These measures are aimed at stimulating economic growth.
    • Analysis: Here, 措施 is the subject of the sentence. This structure is common in formal reports and news.
  • Example 7:
    • 如果这些措施不起作用，我们将需要一个新计划。
    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ zhèxiē cuòshī bù qǐ zuòyòng, wǒmen jiāng xūyào yī ge xīn jìhuà.
    • English: If these measures don't work, we will need a new plan.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows how to talk about the effectiveness of 措施. “To work” or “to be effective” is expressed as 起作用 (qǐ zuòyòng).
  • Example 8:
    • 我们应该采取什么措施来解决这个问题？
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi cǎiqǔ shénme cuòshī lái jiějué zhège wèntí?
    • English: What measures should we take to solve this problem?
    • Analysis: This demonstrates how to use 措施 in a question, typically when discussing a significant problem that requires a planned response.
  • Example 9:
    • 银行采取了预防措施，以防止网络诈骗。
    • Pinyin: Yínháng cǎiqǔle yùfáng cuòshī, yǐ fángzhǐ wǎngluò zhàpiàn.
    • English: The bank took preventative measures to guard against online fraud.
    • Analysis: 预防措施 (yùfáng cuòshī), “preventative measures,” is another very common and useful collocation.
  • Example 10:
    • 每个公民都应遵守政府的节水措施。
    • Pinyin: Měi ge gōngmín dōu yīng zūnshǒu zhèngfǔ de jiéshuǐ cuòshī.
    • English: Every citizen should comply with the government's water-saving measures.
    • Analysis: This shows that 措施 are things that can be “complied with” or “followed” (遵守, zūnshǒu).

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The “False Friend”: 措施 (cuòshī) vs. 办法 (bànfǎ)
    • This is the most critical distinction for learners. While both can be translated as “measure” or “way,” they are not interchangeable.
    • 措施 (cuòshī): Formal, concrete, planned actions. Usually plural or a set of actions. Used for large-scale problems (e.g., public health, company policy, environmental protection). Refers to the actions themselves.
    • 办法 (bànfǎ): General, often informal. Can be a single idea, trick, or method. Used for everyday, personal problems (e.g., how to open a jar, what to do if you miss the bus). Refers to the method or idea.
  • Example of Incorrect Usage:
    • Incorrect: 我迟到了，我得想个措施告诉老板。 (Wǒ chídào le, wǒ děi xiǎng ge cuòshī gàosù lǎobǎn.)
    • Why it's wrong: Arriving late is a personal, immediate problem. Using 措施 here is like saying “I must devise a set of strategic measures to inform my boss.” It's far too formal and serious.
    • Correct: 我迟到了，我得想个办法告诉老板。 (Wǒ chídào le, wǒ děi xiǎng ge bànfǎ gàosù lǎobǎn.) - “I'm late, I have to think of a way to tell my boss.”

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 办法 (bànfǎ) - A more general and informal word for “method” or “solution,” used for everyday problems.
  • 方法 (fāngfǎ) - “Method” or “way,” often referring to a systematic or established procedure (e.g., the scientific method, a method for learning).
  • 采取 (cǎiqǔ) - The verb most frequently paired with 措施, meaning “to adopt” or “to take” (measures).
  • 行动 (xíngdòng) - “Action” or “operation.” Broader than 措施, it can refer to a single physical movement or a large-scale campaign.
  • 政策 (zhèngcè) - “Policy.” 措施 are often the specific steps used to implement a 政策. A government has a “no-smoking policy” (政策), and the “measures” (措施) would be fines, designated smoking areas, etc.
  • 步骤 (bùzhòu) - “Step” or “procedure.” Refers to the individual, sequential stages in a process. More about sequence than problem-solving.
  • 计划 (jìhuà) - “Plan.” A 计划 is the overall blueprint; the 措施 are the specific actions within the plan to achieve the goals.