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B2 noun 11 min read

信度

xindu

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 信度 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 信度 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '信度' (xìndù) is likely too advanced to use, but you already know its first character: '信' (xìn). You might know '信' from '写信' (xiě xìn - to write a letter) or '相信' (xiāngxìn - to believe). In the word '信度', '信' carries the meaning of 'trust' or 'belief.' The second character '度' (dù) means 'degree' or 'measure,' which you might see in '温度' (wēndù - temperature). So, at this level, just remember that '信' is about trust and '度' is about measurement. You don't need to use '信度' yet, but seeing it will help you recognize the building blocks of Chinese words. Focus on '相信' (to believe) for now, as it is the foundation for understanding why '信度' means reliability. If you can trust a measure, it has high '信度.'

By A2, you are starting to see how characters combine to form more specific meanings. '信度' is a word used in science and school to talk about if a test is 'good' and 'steady.' If you take a Chinese test today and get an 80, and then take the same test tomorrow and get an 80 again, that test has '信度.' It is consistent. You won't use this word when talking to your friends about lunch, but you might see it in a textbook or a news report about a new study. Think of it as 'trust-measure.' If a scale always shows the same weight when you put the same bag of rice on it, that scale has high '信度.' It's a useful word to recognize if you are interested in science or data.

At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish between general words for 'reliable' and technical ones. You probably already use '可靠' (kěkào) to say someone or something is reliable. '信度' is the academic version of that. It specifically refers to the consistency of a measurement tool or research result. You will encounter it in more formal reading materials, especially those related to social sciences or technology. For example, if you are reading about a survey, the text might mention the '信度' of the results. You can start using it in your own writing if you are describing a science project or an experiment. Remember: '信度' is a noun. You can say '这个测试的信度很高' (The reliability of this test is high).

At B2, '信度' is a key vocabulary word for professional and academic success. You are expected to understand not just its definition, but how it differs from '效度' (xiàodù - validity). In discussions about research, quality control, or data analysis, you should be able to use '信度' to describe the stability of your findings. For instance, you might say, '我们需要提高问卷的信度' (We need to improve the reliability of the questionnaire). You should also be familiar with common collocations like '信度分析' (reliability analysis) and '检验信度' (to test reliability). At this level, you are moving from 'expressing ideas' to 'expressing ideas with precision.' Using '信度' instead of '可靠性' in a formal report shows a higher level of linguistic sophistication and a better grasp of academic Chinese.

For C1 learners, '信度' should be a natural part of your academic and professional lexicon. You should be able to discuss complex concepts like '评分者信度' (inter-rater reliability) or '折半信度' (split-half reliability) without hesitation. At this level, you understand that '信度' is not just a binary (high or low) but a quantified value that must be defended in scholarly work. You can use it in nuanced arguments, such as discussing how cultural factors might affect the '信度' of a psychological assessment translated into Chinese. Your ability to integrate '信度' into complex sentence structures—using it in nominalized clauses or as part of a formal critique—demonstrates your near-native command of formal Chinese. You should also be able to recognize it in high-level literature or policy documents.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '信度' and its place within the broader framework of Chinese epistemology and scientific terminology. You can engage in deep debates about the philosophical implications of reliability in qualitative vs. quantitative research. You understand the historical development of the term in modern Chinese academia and how it relates to traditional concepts of '信' (trust/integrity). You can effortlessly switch between '信度' and more obscure technical synonyms or related concepts like '可重复性' (reproducibility) or '稳健性' (robustness) depending on the specific field (e.g., econometrics vs. psychometrics). Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native Chinese scholar or professional, and you can critique the '信度' of complex systems or national-level data sets with authority and precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

信度 in 30 Seconds

信度 (xìndù) is a formal noun meaning 'reliability,' specifically the consistency and stability of a measurement tool or research data over multiple trials.
It is primarily used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts such as psychology, sociology, engineering, and standardized testing to evaluate data quality.
Common collocations include 'high/low reliability' (信度高/低) and 'reliability analysis' (信度分析). It must not be confused with 'validity' (效度), which measures accuracy.
Etymologically, it combines 'trust' (信) and 'degree' (度), literally meaning 'the degree to which something can be trusted' in a technical sense.

The term 信度 (xìndù) is a sophisticated noun primarily used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts to denote 'reliability.' In the realm of statistics and psychometrics, it refers to the consistency and stability of a measurement instrument. If a test is reliable, it should yield the same results under the same conditions across multiple administrations. This concept is vital because, without high reliability, any data collected is essentially meaningless, as it could be the result of random chance rather than a true measurement of the variable in question. In a broader sense, 信度 can also touch upon the trustworthiness of information or a source, though '可靠性' (kěkàoxìng) is more common for general trustworthiness.

Technical Definition: The degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results. It is often quantified using coefficients like Cronbach's Alpha.
Everyday Analogy: Think of a bathroom scale. If you step on it three times and it gives you three different weights, the scale has low 信度. If it gives the same weight every time, it has high reliability, even if it is not calibrated correctly.

这项研究的问卷调查具有很高的信度，因此结果是可信的。(The questionnaire for this study has high reliability, so the results are credible.)

In professional Chinese environments, you will hear this word during research presentations, quality control meetings, and discussions regarding standardized testing like the HSK or Gaokao. It is a 'high-level' word that signals a deep understanding of methodology. For instance, an HR manager might discuss the 信度 of a personality test used for hiring to ensure that candidates aren't just getting random scores. Understanding this word helps learners navigate the more formal and analytical side of the Chinese language, moving beyond basic communication into the realm of professional and academic discourse.

我们需要通过重测法来验证这个量表的信度。(We need to verify the reliability of this scale through the test-retest method.)

The word is composed of two characters: 信 (xìn), meaning trust, faith, or information, and 度 (dù), meaning degree, measure, or limit. Together, they literally translate to 'the degree of trust' or 'trustworthiness measure.' This etymological root makes it easy to remember for English speakers who associate 'reliability' with 'relying' on something. When you use 信度, you are essentially quantifying how much one can rely on a specific measurement or data set. It is a formal term, so avoid using it in casual settings like 'I don't trust my friend's word'—in that case, use '信任' (xìnrèn) or '可靠' (kěkào).

Contextual Usage: Commonly used in Psychology, Sociology, Education, and Engineering.

如果实验步骤不严谨，实验结果的信度就会受到质疑。(If the experimental procedures are not rigorous, the reliability of the experimental results will be questioned.)

Using 信度 correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It is almost never used as a verb. You describe 信度 using adjectives like '高' (gāo - high), '低' (dī - low), '好' (hǎo - good), or '差' (chà - poor). It often appears as the subject of a sentence or as the object of verbs like '提高' (tígāo - improve), '验证' (yànzhèng - verify), or '检测' (jiǎncè - detect/test). In academic writing, it is frequently followed by '分析' (fēnxī - analysis) to create the compound '信度分析' (reliability analysis).

Basic Structure: [Subject/Tool] + 的 + 信度 + [Adjective]. Example: 这种测试的信度很高。(The reliability of this test is very high.)

为了确保研究的科学性，我们必须首先进行信度检验。(To ensure the scientific nature of the research, we must first conduct a reliability test.)

When discussing the improvement of a tool, you might say '提高...的信度'. This is common in software engineering or survey design. For example, '增加题目数量可以有效提高问卷的信度' (Increasing the number of questions can effectively improve the reliability of the questionnaire). Note how 信度 functions here as a specific property of the questionnaire. It is not just about 'trust' in a general sense, but about the statistical consistency of the responses. If you were to use '信任' here, it would sound like you are trying to make the questionnaire more 'likable' or 'trustworthy' to the respondents, which is a completely different concept.

评价一个考试好坏的两个核心指标是信度和效度。(The two core indicators for evaluating the quality of an exam are reliability and validity.)

In complex sentences, 信度 can be part of a prepositional phrase. For example, '在信度方面...' (In terms of reliability...). This is useful when comparing different methods. '在信度方面，机器翻译仍有待提高' (In terms of reliability, machine translation still needs improvement). Here, reliability refers to the consistency of the translation quality. If the machine translates the same sentence differently every time, its 信度 is low. This usage is common in tech reviews and scientific reports where consistency is a key performance indicator (KPI).

Advanced Pattern: [Action] + 旨在 + 提升 + [Object] + 的 + 信度. (Action is aimed at improving the reliability of the object.)

由于样本量太小，该实验结果的信度偏低。(Due to the small sample size, the reliability of the experimental results is relatively low.)

You are most likely to encounter 信度 in environments where data, measurement, and precision are valued. This is not a word you would typically use at a grocery store or while chatting with friends about a movie. Instead, think of it as a 'professional gatekeeper' word. If you are a university student in China, your professors will use it constantly when discussing research methods. If you are working in a data-driven field like FinTech, Biotech, or AI development, 信度 will appear in your technical documentation and performance reports.

Academic Setting: Lectures on 'Research Methods' (研究方法) or 'Psychological Statistics' (心理统计学). Professors will emphasize that a thesis must address the 信度 of its data.
Corporate Setting: Quality Assurance (QA) departments. When testing a new sensor or algorithm, engineers discuss its 信度 to ensure it performs consistently across different environments.

在学术论文中，作者必须报告所使用量表的信度系数。(In academic papers, authors must report the reliability coefficients of the scales used.)

Another common place to hear 信度 is in news reports regarding official statistics or medical breakthroughs. When a new vaccine is tested, the media might discuss the 信度 of the clinical trial data. If the data is consistent across different age groups and regions, its reliability is considered high. Similarly, in the legal field, a lawyer might challenge the 信度 of a witness's memory if their story changes over time. While the word '可靠性' is more common in general news, 信度 is used when the speaker wants to sound more precise and authoritative.

这家公司的信用评级信度很高，深受投资者信任。(The reliability of this company's credit rating is very high, and it is deeply trusted by investors.)

Finally, you might encounter it in the 'User Manuals' or 'Technical Specifications' of high-precision equipment. A high-end thermometer or a GPS device will list its 信度 parameters. In these documents, it is often translated as 'reliability' or 'consistency.' Learning this word allows you to read and understand professional documents in Chinese, which is a major step toward fluency at the B2 level and beyond. It shows that you can handle abstract concepts and technical vocabulary, which is essential for working or studying in a Chinese-speaking environment.

News Context: Reporting on census data or economic indicators. '国家统计局强调了数据统计的信度和准确性' (The National Bureau of Statistics emphasized the reliability and accuracy of the data statistics.)

我们需要进一步分析这些数据的信度，看看是否存在系统性误差。(We need to further analyze the reliability of these data to see if there are systematic errors.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 信度 is confusing it with its close cousin, 效度 (xiàodù - validity). While they often appear together, they mean very different things. 信度 is about consistency (does it give the same result?), whereas 效度 is about accuracy (does it measure what it's supposed to?). For example, if a clock is always 10 minutes fast, it has high 信度 (it's consistent) but low 效度 (it's not telling the correct time). Using 信度 when you mean 效度 is a common error in academic papers and can lead to significant confusion.

Mistake #1: Confusing with 效度 (Validity): Incorrect: 这个测试能准确测量智力，所以它的信度很好。(This test accurately measures intelligence, so its reliability is good.) -> Correct: ...所以它的效度很好。

别把信度和效度混为一谈；前者关注一致性，后者关注准确性。(Don't confuse reliability with validity; the former focuses on consistency, the latter on accuracy.)

Another mistake is using 信度 in casual conversation to mean 'honesty' or 'trustworthiness' of a person. For a person's character, you should use '诚信' (chéngxìn - integrity) or '可靠' (kěkào - reliable). If you say '这个人的信度很高,' it sounds like you have subjected the person to a statistical consistency test, which sounds very strange and overly clinical. Use 信度 for tools, data, methods, and systems, not for your friends' personalities.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the collocations. They might say '做信度' (do reliability) instead of '进行信度分析' (conduct reliability analysis) or '检验信度' (test reliability). In Chinese, formal nouns often require specific formal verbs. '做' is too informal for a word like 信度. Using the correct verb-noun pairing (collocation) is what separates a B2 learner from a C1/C2 speaker. Always try to pair it with '检验' (jiǎnyàn), '评估' (pínggū), or '分析' (fēnxī).

Mistake #2: Using casual verbs: Incorrect: 老师让我们做一下这个问卷的信度。(The teacher asked us to 'do' the reliability of this questionnaire.) -> Correct: 老师让我们分析一下这个问卷的信度。

在统计学中，提高信度并不一定意味着提高了效度。(In statistics, improving reliability does not necessarily mean improving validity.)

Understanding the synonyms and related terms for 信度 helps you choose the right word for the right situation. While 信度 is the technical term for 'reliability' in research, other words cover similar ground in different contexts. The most common alternative is 可靠性 (kěkàoxìng). While often interchangeable in loose speech, 可靠性 is broader and can refer to the reliability of a person, a car, or a piece of news. 信度 is strictly about measurement and data.

信度 vs. 可靠性 (kěkàoxìng): 信度: Technical, specific to tests, measurements, and research. (e.g., '测试信度')
可靠性: General, used for machines, people, and systems. (e.g., '这辆车的可靠性很高')
信度 vs. 稳定性 (wěndìngxìng): 稳定性: Focuses on 'stability' over time. A reliable test (信度) is inherently stable, but 稳定性 can also describe a person's mood or a chemical compound.

虽然这两个词意思相近，但在学术报告中应优先使用“信度”。(Although these two words are similar in meaning, 'reliability' [xìndù] should be prioritized in academic reports.)

Another related word is 一致性 (yīzhìxìng - consistency). In many contexts, 信度 is actually defined by 一致性. For example, '内部一致性信度' (internal consistency reliability). While 一致性 is an adjective or noun describing the state of being the same, 信度 is the formal metric used to measure that state in a scientific context. If you are describing a person's behavior as consistent, use 一致性; if you are describing a test's results as consistent, use 信度.

为了提高实验的信度，我们需要确保操作的一致性。(To improve the reliability of the experiment, we need to ensure the consistency of operations.)

Finally, consider 准确性 (zhǔnquèxìng - accuracy). As discussed in the 'Common Mistakes' section, accuracy is more closely related to 效度 (validity). However, in non-technical contexts, people often conflate accuracy and reliability. If you are in a boardroom and someone asks 'Is this data accurate?', they might use 准确性. But if they ask 'Is this data reliable?', they might use 可靠性 or 信度. Choosing 信度 shows you are looking at the methodology behind the data, not just the final numbers.

Summary Table: • 信度: Measurement consistency (Formal/Academic).
• 可靠性: General reliability (Universal).
• 效度: Measurement accuracy/validity (Formal/Academic).
• 一致性: Logical or behavioral consistency (General/Formal).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While '信度' is very technical now, the character '信' is one of the Five Constant Virtues of Confucianism (仁, 义, 礼, 智, 信), where it means 'trustworthiness' or 'integrity.' So, a word used in modern statistics is rooted in 2,500-year-old ethical philosophy!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃiːn duː/

US /ʃin du/

Both syllables '信' and '度' receive equal stress as they are both 4th tones.

Rhymes With

印数 (yìnshù) 进度 (jìndù) 力度 (lìdù) 限度 (xiàndù) 胜数 (shèngshǔ) 定数 (dìngshù) 命数 (mìngshù) 近路 (jìnlù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '信' (xìn) as 'xīn' (1st tone), which changes the meaning to 'heart' or 'new'.
Pronouncing '度' (dù) as 'dū' (1st tone), which sounds like 'capital' (都).
Confusing the 'x' sound with 'sh'. In Mandarin, 'x' is a sharp 's' with the tongue behind the lower teeth.
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'xìndú' (trust poison), which is nonsensical.
Failing to aspirate or properly distinguish the 'd' in 'dù' (it should be unaspirated like the 'd' in 'dog').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal academic Chinese and scientific concepts.

Writing 5/5

Hard to use correctly without understanding technical collocations and formal verbs.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward (two 4th tones), but context is specialized.

Listening 4/5

Easy to confuse with '效度' or '可靠性' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

相信 (Believe) 度 (Degree) 测试 (Test) 数据 (Data) 标准 (Standard)

Learn Next

效度 (Validity) 显著性 (Significance) 相关系数 (Correlation coefficient) 偏差 (Bias) 样本 (Sample)

Advanced

心理测量学 (Psychometrics) 因子分析 (Factor analysis) 概化理论 (Generalizability Theory) 误差理论 (Error theory) 实证研究 (Empirical research)

Grammar to Know

Noun compounding in technical Chinese

信度 + 分析 = 信度分析 (Reliability analysis)

Using '具有' (jùyǒu) for abstract qualities

该测试具有高信度。(The test possesses high reliability.)

Adjective placement for attributes

信度 + 表现 + 良好 (Reliability performance is good)

The '越...越...' structure for correlation

样本越多，信度往往越高。(The larger the sample, the higher the reliability tends to be.)

Using '进行' (jìnxíng) for formal actions

进行信度分析 (Conduct reliability analysis)

Examples by Level

我不相信他。

I don't believe him.

Uses '信' in its most basic verb form '相信'.

这封信很重要。

This letter is very important.

Uses '信' as a noun meaning 'letter'.

他很有自信。

He is very self-confident.

Uses '信' in '自信' (self-trust/confidence).

今天的温度是多少？

What is the temperature today?

Uses '度' as a measure of degree (temperature).

请给我一点信用。

Please give me some credit/trust.

Uses '信用' (credit/trust).

我相信你会成功。

I believe you will succeed.

Standard '相信' verb usage.

这个度数不对。

This degree/measurement is wrong.

Uses '度' in '度数' (degree/measurement).

信不信由你。

Believe it or not.

Common idiom using '信'.

这个测试很有用。

This test is very useful.

Simple sentence about a test.

我们要看数据的信度。

We need to look at the reliability of the data.

Introduces '信度' as a noun object.

他的话没有信度。

His words have no reliability.

Using '信度' to mean general trustworthiness (slightly formal).

这个量杯的度数很清楚。

The markings on this measuring cup are very clear.

Uses '度数' for measurement.

我们需要好的工具。

We need good tools.

Simple 'need' structure.

这个结果是真的吗？

Is this result true?

Questioning results.

考试的信度很重要。

The reliability of the exam is very important.

Subject-Adjective structure.

我不确定这个信度。

I am not sure about this reliability.

Negative certainty + noun.

为了保证信度，我们做了三次实验。

To ensure reliability, we did the experiment three times.

Purpose clause '为了...保证信度'.

这个问卷的信度达到了0.85。

The reliability of this questionnaire reached 0.85.

Discussing reliability as a numerical value.

如果没有信度，研究就没有意义。

Without reliability, the research has no meaning.

Conditional '如果...就...'.

我们需要提高数据的信度。

We need to improve the reliability of the data.

Verb-Object '提高信度'.

这种测量方法的信度比较低。

The reliability of this measurement method is relatively low.

Comparing levels with '比较'.

专家们正在讨论报告的信度。

Experts are discussing the reliability of the report.

Continuous action '正在讨论'.

信度是衡量测试好坏的标准之一。

Reliability is one of the standards for measuring the quality of a test.

Defining '信度' as a standard.

他质疑了这项调查的信度。

He questioned the reliability of this survey.

Verb-Object '质疑信度'.

信度和效度是心理测量学的两大支柱。

Reliability and validity are the two pillars of psychometrics.

Using '信度' in a formal academic definition.

内部一致性信度是评估问卷质量的常用指标。

Internal consistency reliability is a commonly used indicator for evaluating questionnaire quality.

Compound technical term '内部一致性信度'.

随机误差会显著降低实验的信度。

Random errors will significantly reduce the reliability of the experiment.

Causal relationship with '显著降低'.

该量表具有良好的重测信度。

The scale has good test-retest reliability.

Adjective-Noun '良好的重测信度'.

在进行信度分析之前，我们要清洗数据。

Before conducting reliability analysis, we need to clean the data.

Time clause '在...之前'.

提高题目数量通常能有效提升信度。

Increasing the number of items usually effectively improves reliability.

Adverbial '通常能有效提升'.

评分者信度较低说明评分标准不够统一。

Low inter-rater reliability indicates that the scoring standards are not uniform enough.

Subject clause showing cause and effect.

信度系数越接近1，说明一致性越好。

The closer the reliability coefficient is to 1, the better the consistency.

The '越...越...' (the more... the more...) structure.

由于存在系统性偏差，该研究的信度虽然尚可，但效度存疑。

Due to systematic bias, while the reliability of the study is acceptable, the validity is questionable.

Complex contrastive sentence using '虽然...但...'.

我们采用了克隆巴赫系数来衡量量表的内部信度。

We employed Cronbach's alpha to measure the internal reliability of the scale.

Technical verb '采用' and specific statistical terms.

样本的代表性直接影响到研究结果的外部信度。

The representativeness of the sample directly affects the external reliability of the research results.

Abstract relationship '直接影响到'.

在跨文化研究中，量表的信度往往会因为翻译而受损。

In cross-cultural research, the reliability of a scale is often compromised due to translation.

Passive voice '因为...而受损'.

通过增加平行效标，我们可以间接验证其信度。

By adding parallel criteria, we can indirectly verify its reliability.

Prepositional phrase '通过...我们可以...'.

该论文对信度概念的界定过于模糊，缺乏说服力。

The paper's definition of the concept of reliability is too vague and lacks persuasiveness.

Critical academic assessment.

纵向研究对测试工具的跨时间信度提出了更高要求。

Longitudinal studies place higher demands on the cross-temporal reliability of testing tools.

Verb-Object '提出更高要求'.

即使信度很高，如果测量维度不对，结果依然无效。

Even if reliability is high, if the measurement dimension is wrong, the result is still invalid.

Concessive clause '即使...如果...依然...'.

信度理论的演进反映了人类对测量不确定性认知的深化。

The evolution of reliability theory reflects the deepening of human cognition regarding measurement uncertainty.

Highly abstract and philosophical sentence structure.

在概化理论框架下，信度被重新定义为全域分数的估计精度。

Under the framework of Generalizability Theory, reliability is redefined as the estimation precision of universe scores.

Prepositional phrase '在...框架下' and passive '被重新定义'.

该实验设计的巧妙之处在于，它通过排除干扰项极大地提升了观察信度。

The ingenuity of the experimental design lies in its significant improvement of observational reliability by excluding distractors.

Complex subject '...的巧妙之处在于' and '通过...提升了...'.

统计学上的信度与法律意义上的证据力在本质上有着共通的逻辑。

Statistical reliability and legal probative value share a common logic at their core.

Comparative structure '...与...在本质上有...'.

如果不能从根本上解决元数据的信度问题，大数据分析将成为空中楼阁。

If the reliability issue of metadata cannot be fundamentally resolved, big data analysis will become a castle in the air.

Metaphorical expression '空中楼阁' (castle in the air).

研究者应当在报告中详尽阐述信度系数的计算路径及其局限性。

Researchers should elaborate in their reports on the calculation path of the reliability coefficient and its limitations.

Formal modal '应当' and exhaustive verb '详尽阐述'.

这种方法论的转向，标志着学术界对传统信度评估范式的反思。

This methodological shift marks the academic community's reflection on the traditional reliability assessment paradigm.

Abstract noun '范式' (paradigm) and '反思' (reflection).

信度的缺失往往源于实验环境的不可控性及样本波动的随机性。

The lack of reliability often stems from the uncontrollability of the experimental environment and the randomness of sample fluctuations.

Noun-heavy academic style '...源于...及...'.

Synonyms

可靠性稳定性一致性可信度

Antonyms

偶然性不可靠

Common Collocations

信度高

信度低

信度分析

检验信度

重测信度

内部信度

提高信度

信度系数

评分者信度

信度指标

Common Phrases

具有信度

— To possess reliability. Used to describe a tool or study.

该研究结果具有很高的信度。

信度受损

— Reliability is compromised or damaged. Used when errors occur.

由于操作不当，信度严重受损。

信度验证

— Reliability verification. The process of proving consistency.

信度验证是研究的基础步骤。

缺乏信度

— Lacking reliability. Used for poor quality data.

这个结论因为缺乏信度而被拒绝。

信度评估

— Reliability assessment. Evaluating how consistent something is.

我们需要对新设备进行信度评估。

信度保障

— Reliability guarantee. Ensuring consistency.

这是我们提供信度保障的承诺。

信度水平

— Reliability level. The specific degree of consistency.

目前的信度水平尚不理想。

信度与效度

— Reliability and Validity. The two core concepts of measurement.

论文必须讨论信度与效度。

跨时间信度

— Cross-temporal reliability. Consistency over a period of time.

跨时间信度对长期研究至关重要。

信度测试

— Reliability test. The act of testing for consistency.

信度测试的结果令人满意。

Often Confused With

信度 vs 效度 (xiàodù)

Validity. Reliability is consistency; Validity is accuracy. A clock that is always 5 minutes slow has high reliability but low validity.

信度 vs 信用 (xìnyòng)

Credit or personal trust. '信用' is for banks and people; '信度' is for tests and data.

信度 vs 信任 (xìnrèn)

To trust someone. This is a verb/noun for human relationships, whereas '信度' is for technical measurement.

Idioms & Expressions

"言而有信"

— To be as good as one's word. While '信度' is technical, this idiom uses '信' for personal trust.

他是一个言而有信的人。

Literary/Formal

"信赏必罚"

— Rewards and punishments are meted out strictly as promised. Relates to consistency in management.

公司管理要做到信赏必罚。

Formal

"微言大义"

— Subtle words with profound meaning. Not directly 'reliability', but relates to the weight of '信' (words/messages).

这篇文章微言大义，值得深思。

Literary

"言行一致"

— Words and actions match. This is the behavioral version of '信度' (consistency).

我们应该做到言行一致。

Neutral

"确凿不移"

— Irrefutable and unchangeable. Describes data with extremely high reliability.

证据确凿不移，不容反驳。

Formal

"信而有征"

— Trustworthy and proven by evidence. Very close to the spirit of academic '信度'.

这个理论信而有征，广受认可。

Literary

"始终如一"

— Consistent from beginning to end. Pure consistency.

他对工作的态度始终如一。

Neutral

"名副其实"

— To be worthy of the name. If a test has high '信度', it is '名副其实' a good test.

这是一部名副其实的杰作。

Neutral

"稳扎稳打"

— To go steadily and strike surely. Relates to the 'stability' aspect of reliability.

他在学习上一直稳扎稳打。

Informal/Neutral

"信手拈来"

— To have words at one's fingertips. Uses '信' in the sense of 'following one's will/trusting one's hand'.

他写文章时，各种典故信手拈来。

Literary

Easily Confused

信度 vs 可靠性

Both translate to 'reliability' in English.

'信度' is academic/statistical; '可靠性' is universal. You can say a car has '可靠性' but not '信度'.

这台机器的可靠性不错，但实验的信度还需要验证。

信度 vs 精确度

Both relate to measurement quality.

'精确度' (precision) is about how fine the measurement is; '信度' is about how consistent it is.

这个尺子的精确度到毫米，但如果它坏了，信度就会变差。

信度 vs 公信力

Both involve the concept of 'trust'.

'公信力' is about public perception and social trust; '信度' is a mathematical property.

政府的公信力下降了，但这并不影响统计数据的信度。

信度 vs 真实性

People often think reliability equals truth.

'真实性' (authenticity/truth) is closer to validity. Something can be consistently false (high reliability, low truth).

我们要确保数据的真实性，而不仅仅是信度。

信度 vs 一致性

Reliability is defined by consistency.

'一致性' is the general concept; '信度' is the technical metric for it.

评分的一致性是保证信度的前提。

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] 的信度是 [Adjective]。

这个问卷的信度是很理想的。

为了提高 [Noun] 的信度，我们需要 [Action]。

为了提高实验的信度，我们需要增加样本量。

虽然 [Noun] 具有较高的信度，但其效度仍有待商榷。

虽然该量表具有较高的信度，但其效度仍有待商榷。

在 [Context] 之下，信度表现出 [Quality]。

在不同文化背景之下，信度表现出显著差异。

[Noun] 的信度缺失主要归因于 [Reason]。

观测结果的信度缺失主要归因于环境干扰。

通过 [Method] 路径，我们可以实现对信度的精准把控。

通过标准化操作路径，我们可以实现对信度的精准把控。

我不确定这个结果的信度。

信度很重要。

在科学研究中，信度很重要。

Word Family

Nouns

信度 (Reliability)

效度 (Validity)

信任 (Trust)

信用 (Credit)

信息 (Information)

信件 (Letter)

信念 (Belief)

信誉 (Reputation)

Verbs

相信 (To believe)

信任 (To trust)

信奉 (To believe in/follow)

信赖 (To rely on)

Adjectives

可信的 (Credible)

自信的 (Confident)

诚信的 (Honest/Integrity)

精度 (Precision)

密度 (Density)

深度 (Depth)

广度 (Breadth)

幅度 (Amplitude/Range)

How to Use It

frequency

High in academic and professional settings; rare in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using '信度' to mean 'honesty'. → 诚信 (chéngxìn)
'信度' is a statistical measure of consistency. '诚信' is the moral quality of being honest.
Saying '做信度' (do reliability). → 进行信度分析 (conduct reliability analysis)
'做' is too informal. Professional nouns require formal verbs like '进行' or '开展'.
Confusing '信度' with '效度'. → Depends on context (Consistency vs Accuracy).
This is the most common conceptual error. Ensure you mean 'consistency' when using '信度'.
Using '一个信度' as a countable noun. → 信度水平 (reliability level)
'信度' is an abstract, uncountable property. You don't count it with '一个'.
Pronouncing '信' as 'xīn' (1st tone). → xìn (4th tone)
Changing the tone can lead to confusion with words like '心' (heart).

Tips

Use in Academic Writing

When writing a thesis or a formal report in Chinese, always include a section on '信度与效度' to demonstrate your methodological rigor.

Noun Only

Remember that '信度' is a noun. You cannot say '这个测试很信度'. Use '信度很高' instead.

Pair with Analysis

The most common compound is '信度分析' (reliability analysis). Memorize this as a single unit.

Reliability vs Validity

Think of reliability as 'repeatability' and validity as 'accuracy.' This helps you choose between '信度' and '效度'.

Tone Accuracy

Double 4th tones (xìn dù) are common in technical terms. Practice them to sound more authoritative.

Scientific Context

Only use '信度' when you are talking about data, measurements, or tools. For people, use '可靠'.

Character Roots

Remember '信' (trust) + '度' (measure) = 'measure of trust.' This makes the word intuitive.

Listen for the 'Dù'

Many technical metrics end in '度' (dù). When you hear it, prepare for a formal or scientific concept.

Boardroom Usage

In a Chinese company, using '信度' when discussing KPIs or data reports will make you sound very professional.

HSK Prep

For HSK 6, be prepared to see '信度' in reading passages about education or social science research.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '信' (xìn) as 'Trust' and '度' (dù) as 'Degree'. Reliability is just the 'Degree of Trust' you have in a measurement tool.

Visual Association

Imagine a target where all the arrows are hitting the exact same spot (consistency), but that spot is far from the bullseye. That is high '信度' (reliability) but low '效度' (validity).

Word Web

信 (Trust) 相信 (Believe) 度 (Measure) 温度 (Temperature) 效度 (Validity) 可靠 (Reliable) 一致 (Consistent) 误差 (Error)

Challenge

Try to explain the difference between '信度' and '效度' to a friend using the 'bathroom scale' example in Chinese. Use the phrase '虽然信度高，但是效度低'.

Word Origin

The word '信度' is a modern compound formed by two ancient characters. '信' (xìn) originally depicted a person (人) standing by their word (言), representing honesty and trust. '度' (dù) originally depicted a hand (又) measuring something, representing a standard or measure. The combination into '信度' to mean 'reliability' in a scientific sense is a 20th-century loan-translation (calque) from Western psychometric terminology.

Original meaning: The degree of trustworthiness or the measure of how much one can rely on a statement or tool.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid using '信度' to describe a person's character, as it can sound dehumanizing or overly analytical.

In English, we use 'reliability' for both technical and general contexts. In Chinese, you must distinguish between '信度' (technical) and '可靠性' (general).

The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) technical manuals frequently discuss '信度' to justify the test's global standards. Chinese psychometrician Zhang Houcan is famous for her work on the '信度' of psychological tests in China. Standardized 'Gaokao' reports often mention '信度' to reassure the public of the exam's consistency.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Research

信度分析
报告信度系数
提高测量信度
信度检验

Standardized Testing

考试信度
评分者信度
题目信度
信度评估

Quality Control (Engineering)

设备信度
系统信度
提高运行信度
信度监测

Data Science

数据信度
模型信度
验证信度
信度不足

Legal/Forensics

证据信度
证词信度
质疑信度
信度评估

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这个问卷的信度怎么样？(What do you think of the reliability of this questionnaire?)"

"我们应该如何提高这项实验的信度？(How should we improve the reliability of this experiment?)"

"信度高是否就意味着结果是正确的？(Does high reliability mean the result is correct?)"

"在你的专业领域，信度重要吗？(Is reliability important in your professional field?)"

"为什么有些测试的信度会随着时间下降？(Why does the reliability of some tests decrease over time?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你发现某个测量工具（如秤或钟表）信度不高的经历。(Describe an experience where you found a measurement tool, like a scale or clock, had low reliability.)

讨论在日常生活中，我们如何非正式地评估一个人的‘信度’。(Discuss how we informally evaluate a person's 'reliability' in daily life.)

解释为什么信度是科学研究的基石。(Explain why reliability is the cornerstone of scientific research.)

如果你要设计一个测试，你会采取什么措施来确保它的高信度？(If you were to design a test, what measures would you take to ensure its high reliability?)

比较‘信度’和‘效度’在评价一项研究时的不同作用。(Compare the different roles of 'reliability' and 'validity' in evaluating a study.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

信度 (Reliability) is about consistency—getting the same result every time. 效度 (Validity) is about accuracy—measuring what you actually intended to measure. For example, if a scale always adds 5kg to your weight, it has high 信度 (consistency) but low 效度 (it's wrong).

Generally, no. For a person's reliability, use '可靠' (kěkào) or '诚信' (chéngxìn). '信度' is reserved for data, tests, and research instruments. Using it for a person sounds like you are treating them as a scientific tool.

Rarely. You might hear it on the news regarding statistics or in a university setting. In daily life, people use '可靠性' (kěkàoxìng) or '可信度' (kěxìndù) for the general 'credibility' of information.

In Chinese academic terms, you would say '信度系数为0.8'. This generally indicates good reliability for most research purposes, meaning 80% of the variance in scores is 'true' variance and 20% is error.

It is '重测信度' (zhòngcè xìndù). This refers to using the same test on the same group of people at two different times to check for consistency.

Both are essential. However, a test cannot be valid (效度) if it is not reliable (信度). Reliability is a prerequisite for validity. You can have a consistent but wrong measure, but you can't have an accurate but inconsistent measure.

No, it is used in any field that involves measurement, including sociology, education, medicine, engineering, and data science.

Common ways include increasing the number of questions (增加题目数量), making the questions clearer (明确题目含义), and ensuring consistent testing conditions (保持测试环境一致).

Yes, it typically appears in HSK 5 or 6 materials as it is an advanced, formal vocabulary item.

It is 'inter-rater reliability.' It measures the degree to which different judges or raters agree in their assessments of the same thing.