效果

• Pinyin: xiào guǒ
• Hanzi breakdown: 效 = 交 (to cross, phonetic) + 攵 (to strike/do); 果 = pictograph of fruit on a tree

Meaning

Effect; result; outcome. The result produced by an action, method, or treatment.

Commonly used to evaluate the outcome of efforts, treatments, policies, or methods. Frequently paired with adjectives like 好 (good), 明显 (obvious), or 不错 (not bad). Also appears in specific compounds like 音效 (sound effects) and 特效 (special effects).

Examples

1. 这种药的效果非常好。 The effect of this medicine is very good.
2. 他的学习方法效果不错。 His study method works quite well.
3. 我们需要看看这个计划的效果怎么样。 We need to see how this plan turns out.

Usage Guide

Context: evaluation, work, medicine, education

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这个方法效果很好。(This method is very effective.)
• 广告的效果还不错。(The effect of the advertisement is quite good.)

Don't Say

• 考试的效果是90分。(Don't use 效果 for exam scores — use 成绩 or 结果. 效果 refers to qualitative outcomes, not numerical results.)

Origin & History

效 means 'effect' or 'to imitate' and 果 means 'result' or 'fruit'. Together they describe the fruit or outcome of an action or effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal