出色

• Pinyin: chū sè
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = pictograph of a foot stepping out of an enclosure; 色 = 刀 (knife) + 巴 (phonetic), originally depicting a person's complexion

Meaning

Outstanding; excellent; remarkable. Used to describe performance, ability, or results that exceed expectations.

A positive adjective used to praise someone's performance, work, talent, or achievements. It implies exceeding normal standards. Often used with 表现 (performance), 成绩 (results), or 工作 (work). More formal than 棒 or 厉害, and suitable for both spoken and written contexts.

Examples

1. 她在这次比赛中表现得非常出色。 She performed outstandingly in this competition.
2. 这位年轻的设计师做出了很出色的作品。 This young designer produced remarkable work.
3. 老师说他的数学成绩一直都很出色。 The teacher says his maths scores have always been excellent.

Usage Guide

Context: praise, evaluation, work

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 你今天的演讲非常出色！(Your speech today was outstanding!)
• 她是我们公司最出色的员工之一。(She is one of the most outstanding employees in our company.)

Don't Say

• 用出色形容很普通的事，比如'你吃饭很出色' (Don't use 出色 for mundane activities like eating — it sounds unnatural; reserve it for achievements)

Origin & History

出 (to come out, to exceed) + 色 (colour, appearance). The phrase evokes the idea of standing out from the crowd, like a vivid colour emerging from a plain background.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal