超级

• Pinyin: chāo jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 超 = 走 (walk/run) + 召 (to summon, phonetic), meaning to surpass; 级 = 纟(silk) + 及 (reach), meaning level or grade

Meaning

Super; ultra; extremely. An intensifier meaning above and beyond the ordinary level.

Used as an adjective or adverb to express an extreme degree. Very common in both formal and casual speech. Appears in compounds like 超级市场 (supermarket, often shortened to 超市), 超级英雄 (superhero), and in colloquial speech as an intensifier similar to 'super' in English.

Examples

1. 这家超级市场的东西又多又便宜。 This supermarket has a wide selection and cheap prices.
2. 他是一个超级喜欢运动的人。 He is someone who super loves sports.
3. 今天的天气超级好，我们去公园吧。 The weather today is super nice — let's go to the park.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, casual, youth

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 这个蛋糕超级好吃！(This cake is super delicious!)
• 她是一个超级有才华的歌手。(She is a super talented singer.)

Don't Say

• 超级部长 (Don't use 超级 as a formal title prefix — it is casual; in formal contexts, use 高级 for 'senior' or 'high-level')

Origin & History

Compound of 超 (to exceed, to surpass) and 级 (level, grade), literally meaning 'exceeding the usual level.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal