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A2 noun #4,000 most common 11 min read

校服

xiaofu Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 校服 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 校服 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '校服' (xiàofú) means 'school uniform.' You should be able to say simple things like 'I wear a school uniform' (我穿校服) or 'This is my school uniform' (这是我的校服). It is a noun used to describe the clothes students wear to school. You might also learn the color of the uniform, such as 'blue school uniform' (蓝色的校服). Focus on the basic verb '穿' (chuān) which means 'to wear.' At this level, don't worry about complex grammar; just treat '校服' as a basic vocabulary item for describing your daily routine or school life. You will often see this word in pictures of students or in your first Chinese textbook when talking about school subjects and classrooms.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '校服' (xiàofú) in more descriptive sentences and understand basic school rules related to it. You will learn to use measure words correctly: '一套校服' (yī tào xiàofú) for a full set and '一件校服' (yī jiàn xiàofú) for just the jacket. You can describe the uniform's appearance using words like '漂亮' (piàoliang - pretty) or '难看' (nánkàn - ugly). You should also be able to talk about the price or buying uniforms, for example, '这套校服多少钱？' (How much is this school uniform?). At this level, you can also use the continuous aspect '穿着校服' (chuānzhe xiàofú) to describe what someone is wearing in a photo. Understanding the difference between 'summer uniform' (夏季校服) and 'winter uniform' (冬季校服) is also helpful.

At the B1 level, you can discuss the role of '校服' (xiàofú) in school life and express your opinions about it. You might explain why schools require uniforms, using phrases like '为了统一' (for the sake of unity) or '为了方便' (for convenience). You can compare uniforms from different schools or different countries. For instance, '中国的校服通常是运动服' (Chinese school uniforms are usually tracksuits). You should be comfortable using the word in various tenses and aspects, such as '我以前不喜欢穿校服' (I didn't like wearing school uniforms before). You will also encounter the word in more complex school-related texts, such as notices about school events where wearing a uniform is mandatory. You can also start using related terms like '校徽' (xiàohuī - school badge) which is often pinned onto the '校服'.

At the B2 level, you can engage in debates about '校服' (xiàofú) and its impact on student identity and social equality. You might discuss the 'pros and cons' (优缺点) of standardized dress codes. For example, you could argue that '校服可以减少学生之间的攀比' (School uniforms can reduce status-seeking/competition among students). You should be able to understand more nuanced vocabulary like '制式校服' (standardized/formal uniforms) versus '运动式校服' (athletic-style uniforms). You can also use '校服' metaphorically or in cultural discussions, such as the '校服情结' (school uniform complex/nostalgia) often found in Chinese literature and film. Your ability to describe the fabric, design, and social implications of uniforms should be quite advanced, allowing you to participate in sophisticated conversations about education policy.

At the C1 level, you should be able to analyze the cultural and historical evolution of '校服' (xiàofú) in China. You can discuss how the style of uniforms has reflected political and social changes over the last century, from the 'May Fourth' style to the Soviet-influenced 1950s and the modern tracksuit era. You can use academic language to discuss the 'aesthetic education' (美育) aspect of uniform design. You should be able to read and understand complex news articles or sociological studies about the 'school uniform industry' and issues like safety standards or corruption in uniform procurement. You can also interpret the psychological effects of wearing uniforms on adolescent development and group psychology, using sophisticated structures and a wide range of synonyms and related idiomatic expressions.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native understanding of '校服' (xiàofú) and its place in the Chinese consciousness. You can discuss the word's nuances in different Chinese-speaking regions (Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong) and how the term '校服' evokes different imagery in each. You can write essays or give presentations on the intersection of fashion, education, and social control as manifested in uniform policies. You are comfortable with the most obscure literary references to student clothing and can use the term in high-level socio-economic or philosophical debates. Your command of the language allows you to use '校服' as a springboard for discussing broader themes like conformity, the loss of individuality, or the romanticization of youth in the collective memory of a generation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

校服 in 30 Seconds

校服 (xiàofú) means 'school uniform' and is a daily essential for students in China.
Commonly a tracksuit style (运动校服) but increasingly moving toward formal blazers (制式校服).
Used with the measure word '套' (tào) for sets and '件' (jiàn) for tops.
Represents collective identity, school pride, and a nostalgic symbol of youth in Chinese culture.

The term 校服 (xiàofú) is a compound noun in Mandarin Chinese, formed by combining 校 (xiào), meaning 'school,' and 服 (fú), meaning 'clothing' or 'garment.' While its direct translation is 'school uniform,' the cultural weight of the word in Chinese-speaking societies is profound. For many Chinese students, the 校服 is not just a daily outfit but a symbol of their formative years, representing a period of intense study and collective identity. Unlike the blazers and ties common in British or American private schools, the standard Chinese school uniform is traditionally a tracksuit, often referred to as 运动校服 (yùndòng xiàofú). These are designed for comfort and utility, allowing students to transition seamlessly from the classroom to the sports field without changing. However, the use of 校服 is evolving as modern schools increasingly adopt 'formal' or 'Western-style' uniforms to project a more professional and prestigious image.

Daily Use: Students are typically required to wear their 校服 every day from Monday to Friday. In many public schools, the tracksuit style is so ubiquitous that students even wear it to commute or hang out after school.
Social Context: Wearing the 校服 levels the social playing field, minimizing visible economic differences between students from different backgrounds, a key tenet of the Chinese educational philosophy.

虽然我们的校服看起来很普通，但它承载了我所有的青春回忆。(Although our school uniform looks very ordinary, it carries all my youth memories.)

In contemporary Chinese pop culture, particularly in 'youth' or 'campus' dramas (校园剧), the 校服 is a central aesthetic element. These shows often romanticize the baggy, oversized tracksuit, turning it into a symbol of nostalgic innocence. You will hear parents discussing the quality of the 校服 during parent-teacher meetings, focusing on the fabric's durability and warmth. In winter, it is common to see students layering heavy coats over their 校服 or even wearing the uniform jacket over multiple sweaters. The word is ubiquitous in any conversation involving primary or secondary education.

明天我们要穿校服去参加升旗仪式。(Tomorrow we need to wear school uniforms to attend the flag-raising ceremony.)

Variations: There are 'summer uniforms' (夏季校服) and 'winter uniforms' (冬季校服). The summer version usually consists of a polo shirt and shorts or a skirt, while the winter version is a thicker tracksuit or padded jacket.

Furthermore, the concept of 校服 extends to the idea of 'school pride.' Top-tier schools like Tsinghua High School or Beijing No. 4 High School have uniforms that are instantly recognizable and serve as a status symbol. In these cases, wearing the 校服 is a way of signaling academic achievement. For learners, understanding 校服 is essential for discussing childhood, education, and social norms in China. It is one of the first words learned when discussing the school environment because of its physical presence in a student's life from age 6 to 18.

这套校服的质量非常好，穿了好几年都没坏。(The quality of this school uniform is very good; it hasn't worn out after several years of wear.)

我把校服弄脏了，妈妈会生气的。(I got my school uniform dirty; Mom will be angry.)

毕业那天，我们在校服上签了名字。(On graduation day, we signed our names on our school uniforms.)

Using 校服 (xiàofú) in a sentence is relatively straightforward, as it functions as a standard noun. However, to sound like a native speaker, you need to master the accompanying verbs and measure words. The most common verb used with 校服 is 穿 (chuān), which means 'to wear' or 'to put on.' For example, 'Students must wear uniforms' is 学生必须穿校服 (Xuéshēng bìxū chuān xiàofú). When you want to talk about taking the uniform off, you use 脱 (tuō), as in 回家后，他脱下了校服 (Huíjiā hòu, tā tuōxiàle xiàofú).

Measure Words: Use 套 (tào) for a complete set (top and bottom). Use 件 (jiàn) for individual tops (jackets/shirts) and 条 (tiáo) for pants or skirts.

我今天买了两套新校服。(I bought two sets of new school uniforms today.)

In more descriptive contexts, you can modify 校服 with adjectives to describe its appearance or state. Common adjectives include 干净 (gānjìng - clean), 脏 (zāng - dirty), 漂亮 (piàoliang - beautiful), or 难看 (nánkàn - ugly/unsightly). Many students complain that their uniforms are 难看 because of the baggy tracksuit style. Conversely, schools might take pride in having 漂亮的校服. You can also use possessives: 我的校服 (my uniform), 学校的校服 (the school's uniform).

他的校服洗得很干净。(His school uniform was washed very clean.)

Another important grammatical structure involves the word 穿 (chuān) in the continuous aspect. To say someone 'is wearing' a uniform (the state of wearing it), you say 穿着校服 (chuānzhe xiàofú). This is very common when describing people in photos or in a crowd. For instance, 那个穿着校服的男孩是谁？ (Who is that boy wearing the school uniform?). In formal documents or school rules, you might see the phrase 统一校服 (tǒngyī xiàofú), which means 'standardized school uniforms' or 'to unify school uniforms.'

Common Verbs

订购 (dìnggòu): To order (uniforms)
发放 (fāfàng): To distribute (uniforms)
改 (gǎi): To alter (uniforms)

学校规定学生周一必须穿整洁的校服。(The school stipulates that students must wear neat school uniforms on Mondays.)

即使毕业了，我也舍不得扔掉这件校服。(Even after graduation, I can't bear to throw away this school uniform.)

校门口站着一群穿着蓝白相间校服的学生。(A group of students wearing blue and white school uniforms stood at the school gate.)

In a typical Chinese city, you will hear 校服 (xiàofú) in various daily scenarios. The most common place is, naturally, within the family home. Every morning, parents might yell to their children, '快点换上校服！' (Hurry up and put on your school uniform!). During the weekend, you'll hear it when parents are doing laundry: '你的校服洗好了吗？' (Is your school uniform washed?). Because students in China often have multiple sets of uniforms for different seasons and purposes, keeping track of them is a constant topic of domestic conversation.

At School: Teachers use the word to enforce discipline. During morning assemblies, a teacher might announce, '没穿校服的同学请站出来' (Students not wearing uniforms, please step out). It's also used in administrative contexts, like when a new semester starts and students need to pay for their 校服费 (uniform fees).

老师说，如果不穿校服，就不准进校门。(The teacher said if you don't wear the school uniform, you're not allowed to enter the school gate.)

In the media, 校服 is a frequent keyword in news reports about education reform. There are often public debates about whether uniforms should be more fashionable or if they should remain functional tracksuits. On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), you will find 'School Uniform Photography' (校服写真) trends where young adults dress up in their old uniforms—or stylized versions of them—to take nostalgic photos. This 'School Uniform Aesthetic' is a major part of the 'JK' (Japanese schoolgirl) and 'campus style' fashion subcultures in China.

现在的校服比我们那时候好看多了。(The current school uniforms are much better looking than the ones in our time.)

You will also hear the word in retail or tailors' shops. Near schools, there are often small shops that sell replacements for school-specific 校服. Parents go there to buy an extra pair of pants when their child grows or rips their current ones. In these shops, the conversation is very practical: '这件校服有大号的吗？' (Do you have this school uniform in a larger size?). Even in the workplace, people might use 校服 as a metaphor for conformity, saying something like '我们的工装就像校服一样' (Our work clothes are just like school uniforms).

Public Spaces: On public transport, seeing a sea of 校服 is a clear indicator of the time of day—either 7:30 AM (going to school) or 5:30 PM (returning home).

公交车上到处都是穿着校服的中学生。(The bus is full of middle school students wearing school uniforms.)

为了省钱，很多家长会给孩子买大一号的校服。(To save money, many parents buy school uniforms one size larger for their children.)

他在校服兜里发现了一张纸条。(He found a small note in his school uniform pocket.)

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Chinese is using the wrong measure word for 校服 (xiàofú). In English, we say 'a uniform,' but in Chinese, the choice between 件 (jiàn) and 套 (tào) is crucial. If you say 一件校服 (yī jiàn xiàofú), you are specifically referring to a single garment, usually the top. If you mean the entire outfit (top and pants), you must use 一套校服 (yī tào xiàofú). Using 件 when you mean the whole set is a frequent error that can lead to confusion when shopping or ordering.

Mistake: Confusion with 'Uniform': Do not confuse 校服 with 制服 (zhìfú). While 制服 is the general term for 'uniform' (like for police, pilots, or nurses), 校服 is reserved exclusively for students. Calling a school uniform a 制服 sounds overly formal or slightly off-context in daily conversation.

错误：我今天穿了我的学校制服。
正确：我今天穿了我的校服。(Correct: I wore my school uniform today.)

Another mistake involves the verb 'to wear.' Beginners often confuse 穿 (chuān) and 戴 (dài). 穿 is used for clothing that you put your limbs through (shirts, pants, jackets, 校服), whereas 戴 is for accessories (hats, glasses, watches, scarves). If a school uniform includes a tie or a badge, you 穿 the uniform but 戴 the tie. Saying 戴校服 (dài xiàofú) is a major grammatical error that sounds very strange to native ears.

错误：他戴着一套蓝色的校服。
正确：他穿着一套蓝色的校服。(Correct: He is wearing a blue school uniform.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the placement of adjectives. In Chinese, the color or description usually comes before the word 校服. For example, 'blue school uniform' is 蓝色的校服 (lánsè de xiàofú), not 校服蓝色. Additionally, when using the continuous aspect to say someone 'is wearing' the uniform, remember to add 着 (zhe) after the verb: 穿着校服. Without the 着, the sentence might just mean 'wear a uniform' as a general statement or command, rather than describing a current state.

Cultural Nuance: Don't assume all Chinese uniforms are tracksuits. While common, describing a blazer-style uniform simply as 'clothing' is too vague; still use 校服 to specify its purpose.

即使是周末，他也喜欢穿校服，因为很舒服。(Even on weekends, he likes to wear his school uniform because it's very comfortable.)

这件校服太小了，我穿不进去。(This school uniform is too small; I can't fit into it.)

While 校服 (xiàofú) is the specific term for school uniforms, there are several related words that learners should distinguish to avoid confusion and broaden their vocabulary. Understanding these nuances helps in selecting the right word for the right context, whether you're talking about a student, a police officer, or a formal event.

校服 vs. 制服 (zhìfú): 校服 is only for schools. 制服 is the general category of 'uniforms' for any profession (police, military, airline staff). Think of 校服 as a subset of 制服.
校服 vs. 运动服 (yùndòngfú): Since most Chinese 校服 are tracksuits, they are technically 运动服 (sportswear). However, 运动服 refers to any athletic clothing (like Nike or Adidas), while 校服 specifically implies it belongs to a school.
校服 vs. 学生装 (xuéshēngzhuāng): 学生装 is a slightly more literary or old-fashioned term for 'student attire.' It is often used to describe the historical uniforms of the early 20th century (like the famous blue tunics and black skirts of the May Fourth era).

虽然这套衣服看起来像校服，但其实是高档的运动服。(Although this outfit looks like a school uniform, it is actually high-end sportswear.)

In some contexts, you might hear 班服 (bānfú). This refers to a 'class uniform'—a custom T-shirt or hoodie designed specifically for one class (e.g., 'Class of 2024') rather than the whole school. Students often wear 班服 for sports meets or school trips to show class unity. Another term is 院服 (yuànfú), used in universities to refer to the uniform or jacket of a specific college or department (e.g., the School of Law).

我们班决定自己设计一套班服。(Our class decided to design our own class uniform.)

Finally, consider 礼服 (lǐfú). While not a synonym for 校服, some elite schools have a 'ceremonial uniform' (校礼服) worn only for graduations or major events. This is distinct from the daily 校服. Understanding these distinctions allows you to describe school life with much greater precision and cultural accuracy.

警察的制服和学生的校服有很大的区别。(Police uniforms and student school uniforms have a big difference.)

这种样式的校服在民国时期非常流行。(This style of school uniform was very popular during the Republican era.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The first modern school uniforms in China appeared in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, often featuring a mix of traditional Chinese and Western styles, such as the 'Zhongshan suit' for boys.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɕjɑʊ fǔ/

US /ʃjaʊ fu/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'xiào', which has a falling tone (4th tone).

Rhymes With

妙 (miào) 笑 (xiào) 叫 (jiào) 跳 (tiào) 报 (bào) 到 (dào) 服 (fú) rhymes with: 福 (fú) 湖 (hú)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'x' as 'z' or 's'. It is a distinct palatal sound.
Missing the rising tone on 'fú', making it sound like 'fù' (falling tone).
Pronouncing 'iao' as two distinct syllables instead of one smooth glide.
Confusing 'fu' with 'hu'.
Ignoring the tones entirely, which can lead to confusion with other words.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple and common in early learning stages.

Writing 3/5

The character '校' is easy, but '服' has several strokes that require practice.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the 'x' sound and the tones.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually easy to pick out in school-related contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

学 (xué) - Study 校 (xiào) - School 衣 (yī) - Clothes 穿 (chuān) - Wear 大 (dà) - Big

Learn Next

校徽 (xiàohuī) - School badge 学生 (xuéshēng) - Student 老师 (lǎoshī) - Teacher 教室 (jiàoshì) - Classroom 操场 (cāochǎng) - Playground

Advanced

教育制度 (jiàoyù zhìdù) - Education system 审美观 (shěnměiguān) - Aesthetic values 集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) - Collectivism

Grammar to Know

The use of '着' (zhe) for continuous states.

他穿着校服。 (He is wearing a school uniform.)

Measure words for clothing: 件 (jiàn) vs 套 (tào).

一件上衣，一套校服。

Adjectives before nouns with '的' (de).

漂亮的校服 (Beautiful school uniform).

Using '必须' (bìxū) for obligations.

学生必须穿校服。

Expressing cause and effect with '因为...所以...'.

因为要升旗，所以我们要穿校服。

Examples by Level

这是我的校服。

This is my school uniform.

Simple 'Subject + be + Noun' structure.

我穿校服。

I wear a school uniform.

Basic 'Subject + Verb + Object' sentence.

校服是蓝色的。

The school uniform is blue.

Using '是...的' to describe a property (color).

他不穿校服。

He does not wear a school uniform.

Negative form using '不'.

你的校服在哪里？

Where is your school uniform?

Question word '在哪里' (where).

我喜欢我的校服。

I like my school uniform.

Expressing preference with '喜欢'.

学校有校服。

The school has uniforms.

Using '有' for possession/existence.

这是谁的校服？

Whose school uniform is this?

Possessive question '谁的'.

我有一套新校服。

I have a set of new school uniforms.

Using the measure word '套' for a set.

他的校服很干净。

His school uniform is very clean.

Adjective '干净' modified by '很'.

我们每天都要穿校服。

We have to wear school uniforms every day.

Adverb '每天' and auxiliary verb '要'.

这件校服太大了。

This school uniform is too big.

Using '太...了' for excess.

你要买校服吗？

Do you want to buy a school uniform?

Question particle '吗'.

妹妹穿着红色的校服。

Little sister is wearing a red school uniform.

Continuous aspect '穿着'.

我不喜欢这套校服。

I don't like this set of school uniforms.

Negative preference.

请把校服洗一下。

Please wash the school uniform.

Request using '请' and '一下' for brief action.

虽然校服不好看，但是很舒服。

Although the school uniform isn't good-looking, it's very comfortable.

Conjunction '虽然...但是...' (although... but...).

所有的学生都必须穿统一的校服。

All students must wear standardized school uniforms.

Using '所有...都' (all... all).

我发现我的校服上有一个洞。

I discovered a hole in my school uniform.

Verb '发现' (discover) and location '上'.

这套校服的价格比以前贵了。

The price of this school uniform is more expensive than before.

Comparison structure 'A 比 B + Adj'.

因为今天有体育课，所以我穿了校服。

Because there is PE class today, I wore my school uniform.

Cause and effect '因为...所以...'.

老师要求我们把校服穿整齐。

The teacher requires us to wear our uniforms neatly.

Verb '要求' (require) and complement '整齐'.

这件校服是我去年买的。

This school uniform was bought by me last year.

The '是...的' structure for emphasizing time/agent.

除了校服，你还买了什么？

Besides the school uniform, what else did you buy?

Structure '除了...还...' (besides... also...).

很多学生认为校服限制了他们的个性。

Many students believe that school uniforms restrict their individuality.

Verb '限制' (restrict) and noun '个性' (individuality).

这种运动式校服在九十年代非常流行。

This tracksuit-style school uniform was very popular in the 1990s.

Time phrase '在...年代' and adjective '流行'.

校服的设计应该既美观又实用。

The design of school uniforms should be both aesthetic and practical.

Structure '既...又...' (both... and...).

为了增强集体荣誉感，学校建议穿校服。

In order to enhance the sense of collective honor, the school suggests wearing uniforms.

Purpose clause '为了...' and formal verb '增强'.

这套校服的面料非常透气，适合夏天穿。

The fabric of this school uniform is very breathable, suitable for summer.

Noun '面料' and adjective '透气'.

他穿着那件旧校服，显得有些格格不入。

Wearing that old school uniform, he seemed a bit out of place.

Idiom '格格不入' (out of place) and verb '显得'.

关于是否应该取消校服，大家意见不一。

Regarding whether school uniforms should be abolished, opinions vary.

Preposition '关于' and phrase '意见不一'.

即使毕业多年，他依然保存着那套校服。

Even though he graduated many years ago, he still keeps that school uniform.

Conjunction '即使...依然...' (even if... still...).

校服不仅是身份的象征，更是校园文化的缩影。

The school uniform is not only a symbol of identity but also a microcosm of campus culture.

Structure '不仅...更是...' (not only... but even more...).

这种制式校服的普及反映了审美观念的转变。

The popularization of this formal uniform reflects a shift in aesthetic concepts.

Abstract noun '普及' and verb '反映'.

校服费用的透明度一直是家长关注的焦点。

The transparency of school uniform costs has always been a focus of parental concern.

Noun '透明度' and fixed phrase '关注的焦点'.

在某些偏远地区，校服是学生唯一的体面衣服。

In some remote areas, the school uniform is the only decent clothing a student has.

Adjective '偏远' and '唯一的' (the only).

校服的款式和质地直接影响到学生的自信心。

The style and texture of school uniforms directly affect students' self-confidence.

Nouns '款式' (style) and '质地' (texture).

一些学校尝试引入汉服元素来重新设计校服。

Some schools are trying to introduce Hanfu elements to redesign school uniforms.

Verb phrase '尝试引入' (try to introduce).

校服的统一性在一定程度上抹杀了学生的创造力。

The uniformity of school uniforms, to some extent, stifles students' creativity.

Verb '抹杀' (stifle/erase) and '在一定程度上'.

针对校服质量不合格的问题，政府出台了新规定。

In response to the issue of substandard school uniform quality, the government has issued new regulations.

Preposition '针对' (aimed at) and verb '出台'.

校服作为一种制度化的符号，潜移默化地塑造着学生的集体意识。

As an institutionalized symbol, the school uniform subtly shapes students' collective consciousness.

Idiom '潜移默化' (subtle influence) and verb '塑造' (shape).

在怀旧电影中，那身松垮的校服往往成为青春岁月的图腾。

In nostalgic films, that baggy school uniform often becomes a totem of youthful years.

Adjective '松垮' (baggy/loose) and noun '图腾' (totem).

校服政策的实施往往伴随着关于平等与个性的激烈博弈。

The implementation of school uniform policies is often accompanied by an intense game/struggle between equality and individuality.

Verb '伴随' and noun '博弈' (game/contest).

那种蓝白相间的运动校服，承载了一代人的集体记忆与情感寄托。

That blue-and-white tracksuit uniform carries the collective memory and emotional sustenance of a generation.

Verb '承载' (carry/bear) and noun '寄托' (sustenance).

校服的标准化不仅是管理上的便利，更是社会契约在校园内的延伸。

The standardization of school uniforms is not just a management convenience, but an extension of the social contract within the campus.

Noun '社会契约' (social contract) and '延伸' (extension).

通过对校服细节的微调，学生们在有限的框架内表达着自我。

By making minor adjustments to uniform details, students express themselves within a limited framework.

Noun '微调' (fine-tuning) and '框架' (framework).

校服的变迁史，在某种程度上就是一部近代中国教育观念的演进史。

The history of changes in school uniforms is, in a way, a history of the evolution of modern Chinese educational concepts.

Noun '变迁史' (history of change) and '演进史' (history of evolution).

当校服褪去了它的实用功能，它便成为了一种纯粹的审美符号。

When the school uniform loses its practical function, it becomes a pure aesthetic symbol.

Verb '褪去' (shed/fade away) and '纯粹' (pure).

Common Collocations

穿校服

一套校服

校服费

校服款式

统一校服

换校服

洗校服

校服裤子

订做校服

穿着校服

Common Phrases

穿上校服

— To put on the school uniform. Used as a command or description of the action.

快点穿上校服，我们要迟到了！

脱下校服

— To take off the school uniform. Often implies the end of the school day.

他一回家就脱下了校服。

校服诱惑

— A slang/pop-culture term referring to the aesthetic appeal of uniforms in media.

这部剧里的‘校服诱惑’吸引了很多观众。

校服情结

— A feeling of nostalgia or a special emotional attachment to school uniforms.

很多人成年后依然有一种校服情结。

夏季校服

— Summer school uniform. Usually short-sleeved shirts and light pants.

夏季校服是白色的短袖。

冬季校服

— Winter school uniform. Usually thick tracksuits or padded jackets.

冬季校服太笨重了。

校服熊

— A teddy bear wearing a miniature version of a specific school's uniform, common as a graduation gift.

我送给她一个穿着我们校服的校服熊。

改校服

— To alter a school uniform. Often done by students to make it more fashionable.

他偷偷把校服裤子改窄了。

校服定制

— Customized school uniforms. Refers to the service of making uniforms for a specific school.

这家工厂专门负责校服定制。

校服检查

— Uniform inspection. A common activity at school gates to ensure students comply with dress codes.

今天早上校门口有校服检查。

Often Confused With

校服 vs 制服 (zhìfú)

A general term for any uniform. Don't use it specifically for school unless you mean 'uniforms in general'.

校服 vs 运动服 (yùndòngfú)

Means sportswear. While most Chinese uniforms are tracksuits, '运动服' doesn't necessarily mean it's for school.

校服 vs 班服 (bānfú)

Specifically for a single class, not the whole school.

Idioms & Expressions

"千篇一律"

— Literally 'a thousand pieces of the same tune.' Used to describe the boring uniformity of many school uniforms.

这些校服看起来都千篇一律，没有特色。

Formal/Literary

"规规矩矩"

— Well-behaved and following rules. Often used to describe a student wearing their uniform properly.

他穿着校服，规规矩矩地坐在教室里。

Neutral

"整整齐齐"

— Neat and tidy. Used to describe a well-maintained uniform.

他的校服折叠得整整齐齐。

Neutral

"格格不入"

— Out of place. Used if a student is not wearing a uniform when everyone else is.

在一群穿校服的学生中，他显得格格不入。

Formal

"焕然一新"

— To look brand new. Used when a school introduces a new uniform design.

换了新校服后，学生们看起来焕然一新。

Formal

"耳目一新"

— A breath of fresh air. Used when a uniform design is surprisingly good.

这套校服的设计让人耳目一新。

Formal

"朝气蓬勃"

— Full of youthful energy. Often used to describe students in their uniforms.

穿着校服的孩子们显得朝气蓬勃。

Formal

"衣冠楚楚"

— Impeccably dressed. Sometimes used ironically for students in formal uniforms.

他今天穿着校礼服，真是衣冠楚楚。

Literary

"循规蹈矩"

— To follow the rules strictly. Describes the mindset of always wearing the uniform as required.

他是一个循规蹈矩的学生，从来不乱穿衣服。

Formal

"别出心裁"

— Original and creative. Used for schools that design unique uniforms.

这所学校的校服设计别出心裁。

Formal

Easily Confused

校服 vs 衣服 (yīfu)

Both mean clothing.

'衣服' is the general word for any clothes, while '校服' is specifically for school.

我今天没穿校服，穿了自己的衣服。

校服 vs 西装 (xīzhuāng)

Some modern uniforms are suits.

'西装' is a Western suit for adults; '校服' is for students, even if it's in a suit style.

我们的校服看起来像一套小西装。

校服 vs 礼服 (lǐfú)

Both can be formal.

'礼服' is for very formal events like weddings or galas; '校服' is for school.

他在毕业典礼上穿了校礼服。

校服 vs 工装 (gōngzhuāng)

Both are work-related uniforms.

'工装' is for workers (factories, etc.); '校服' is for students.

爸爸穿工装去上班，我穿校服去上学。

校服 vs 睡衣 (shuìyī)

Some students say their baggy uniforms feel like pajamas.

'睡衣' is for sleeping; '校服' is for school.

这件校服太舒服了，简直像睡衣。

Sentence Patterns

这是 + [Possessive] + 校服。

这是我的校服。

[Subject] + 穿着 + [Color] + 的校服。

她穿着红色的校服。

虽然...但是... [校服] ...

虽然校服很旧，但是很干净。

学校规定 + [Subject] + 必须 + [Verb] + 校服。

学校规定学生必须穿统一的校服。

[校服] + 既 + [Adj1] + 又 + [Adj2]。

这套校服既美观又大方。

[校服] + 反映了 + [Abstract Concept]。

校服的设计反映了时代的变迁。

关于 + [Topic] + 的校服政策...

关于校服费用的政策非常透明。

[校服] + 承载着 + [Noun Phrase]。

那件旧校服承载着我整整三年的青春记忆。

Word Family

Nouns

学校 (xuéxiào) - School

衣服 (yīfu) - Clothes

服装 (fúzhuāng) - Clothing/Apparel

校徽 (xiàohuī) - School badge

校友 (xiàoyǒu) - Alumnus

Verbs

服从 (fúcóng) - To obey

服务 (fúwù) - To serve

校对 (jiàoduì) - To proofread (Note: different pronunciation for 校)

Adjectives

舒服 (shūfu) - Comfortable

正式 (zhèngshì) - Formal

统一 (tǒngyī) - Unified

学生 (xuéshēng) - Student

校园 (xiàoyuán) - Campus

学费 (xuéfèi) - Tuition fees

书包 (shūbāo) - Schoolbag

运动鞋 (yùndòngxié) - Sneakers

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life for students and parents; moderate for other adults.

Common Mistakes

Using '件' for a full set. → 一套校服
'件' is for individual items. '套' is for a complete set (top and pants).
Saying '戴校服'. → 穿校服
'戴' is for accessories. '穿' is for clothing that covers the body/limbs.
Confusing '校服' with '制服' in a casual school setting. → 校服
'制服' sounds too professional or general. '校服' is the specific and natural term for students.
Putting the color after the noun (e.g., 校服蓝色). → 蓝色的校服
In Chinese, descriptive adjectives and colors must come before the noun they modify.
Using '校服' to refer to university clothing. → 院服 or 卫衣
University students rarely call their clothes '校服' unless it's a very specific institutional requirement, which is rare in China.

Tips

Use '套' for sets

Always remember that '一套校服' includes both the top and the bottom. If you only want to talk about the jacket, use '一件校服上衣'.

Tracksuits are standard

When you think of '校服' in a mainland Chinese context, visualize a tracksuit. If you mean a blazer-and-skirt style, you might need to specify '制式校服'.

Don't say '戴校服'

Even if the uniform feels like an accessory to you, the verb is always '穿' (chuān). '戴' is only for things like hats or glasses.

Tone accuracy

The fourth tone on '校' (xiào) is sharp and falling. Practice it to avoid sounding like you are saying 'small' (xiǎo).

Context clues

If you hear 'xiàofú' in a conversation between a parent and a child in the morning, it's almost certainly about their school uniform.

Character '服'

The right side of '服' is '卩' (jié) over '又' (yòu). Make sure the strokes are clear and don't confuse it with '报'.

Collective identity

Understand that '校服' is a symbol of belonging. Using this word in a conversation about childhood will likely evoke strong memories from your Chinese friends.

Size matters

Parents often buy '校服' one size too big so the child can grow into it over several years. This is a common cultural practice.

Drama trope

In many Chinese TV shows, characters wearing '校服' are instantly identified as being in high school, even if the actors are much older.

Uniform fees

The term '校服费' (xiàofú fèi) is a common item on school bills that parents discuss frequently.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **School** (**校** xiào) where everyone wears the same **Clothing** (**服** fú) to feel like they are part of a team.

Visual Association

Picture a huge sea of students in identical blue and white tracksuits standing in a school courtyard. The 'X' in xiào looks like the cross-beams of a school gate.

Word Web

校服 (Center) 学生 (Student) 老师 (Teacher) 学校 (School) 穿 (Wear) 运动服 (Tracksuit) 校徽 (Badge) 青春 (Youth)

Challenge

Try to describe your own school uniform using the word '校服'. Was it '漂亮' (beautiful) or '难看' (ugly)? What color was it?

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '校' (xiào) originally referred to an enclosure or a place for training horses, later evolving to mean a place of learning (school). '服' (fú) originally depicted a person being forced to submit, later evolving to mean the clothing one wears as a sign of status or duty.

Original meaning: Clothing associated with an educational institution.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be aware that some students may have negative feelings toward uniforms due to strict school discipline, while others may feel nostalgic.

In the UK and Australia, uniforms are very common and usually formal. In the US, they are mostly found in private or charter schools.

The movie 'Our Times' (我的少女时代) features iconic 90s school uniforms. The drama 'With You' (最好的我们) highlights the tracksuit uniform culture. The 'May Fourth' student movement is often depicted with students in specific historical uniforms.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home (Morning)

快穿上校服！
你的校服脏了。
校服在沙发上。
别忘了穿校服。

At the School Gate

请出示校徽。
你为什么没穿校服？
校服要穿整齐。
检查校服。

In a Clothing Store

有中号的校服吗？
这套校服多少钱？
我想试一下校服。
校服质量怎么样？

Graduation Day

在校服上签名。
最后一次穿校服。
拍一张校服照。
舍不得这件校服。

School Rules Meeting

统一着装要求。
校服费公示。
改进校服设计。
严禁私自改动校服。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得你们学校的校服好看吗？ (Do you think your school's uniform is good-looking?)"

"你以前上学的时候必须穿校服吗？ (Did you have to wear a uniform when you were in school?)"

"如果可以自己设计校服，你会设计成什么样的？ (If you could design a uniform yourself, what would it look like?)"

"你更喜欢运动式校服还是西式校服？ (Do you prefer tracksuit-style or Western-style uniforms?)"

"你还保存着你中学的校服吗？ (Do you still keep your middle school uniform?)"

Journal Prompts

描写一下你最喜欢的一套校服。它的颜色、面料和款式是什么样的？ (Describe your favorite school uniform. What was its color, fabric, and style?)

讨论一下校服对学生的影响。你认为校服是限制了个性，还是促进了平等？ (Discuss the impact of school uniforms on students. Do you think they restrict individuality or promote equality?)

回忆一次关于校服的趣事。比如穿错了校服，或者在校服上画画。 (Recall a funny story about school uniforms. For example, wearing the wrong one or drawing on it.)

想象未来的校服。随着科技的发展，未来的校服会有什么特殊功能？ (Imagine future school uniforms. With technological development, what special functions will they have?)

写一封信给校长，建议改进学校的校服设计。 (Write a letter to the principal suggesting improvements to the school's uniform design.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Most Chinese school uniforms are blue and white, but red and white or green and white are also very common. The colors often match the school's official colors.

Yes, in almost all public and private primary and secondary schools in mainland China, wearing a uniform is mandatory every day. Some schools allow casual clothes on specific days, but this is rare.

Generally, no. University students in China do not wear daily uniforms. However, they might have 'college jackets' or 'department T-shirts' (院服) for special events.

The tracksuit style was chosen for its practicality, low cost, and durability. It allows students to participate in physical education without needing to change clothes, which saves time in a busy school day.

The price varies depending on the school and region, but a standard tracksuit set usually costs between 100 and 300 RMB. Formal sets can be more expensive, reaching 500 RMB or more.

Strictly speaking, no. Most schools have rules against altering uniforms. However, students often find small ways to express themselves, like wearing specific sneakers or adding small badges to their '校服'.

Yes, schools provide different sets for different seasons. The '夏季校服' (summer) is light and breathable, while the '冬季校服' (winter) is thick and often windproof.

Yes, the word is used in all Chinese-speaking regions, though the styles in Taiwan and Hong Kong tend to be more formal (shirts, skirts, ties) compared to the tracksuits of the mainland.

They might be stopped at the school gate by student monitors or teachers and could face disciplinary action, such as a warning or having points deducted from their class's score.

Usually, schools have a designated office or a nearby shop authorized to sell that specific school's '校服'. Some generic styles can also be found on online platforms like Taobao.