When you are learning Chinese, you might come across things that are new to you. This is where 生疏 (shēng shū) comes in handy! It means unfamiliar or rusty. Think about a skill you haven't used in a while, like riding a bike. If you haven't ridden in years, you might feel a little 生疏. Or if you go to a new place, everything around you could be 生疏. It's a useful word to describe when something isn't well-known or practiced.
When something is 生疏 (shēng shū), it means you're not familiar with it anymore, or you've become a bit rusty. Think of it like riding a bike after a long break – the skill is still there, but it feels a little unfamiliar.
You can use 生疏 to describe skills, places, or even relationships that have become less familiar over time. For example, if you haven't spoken Chinese in a while, your speaking might feel a bit 生疏.
When something is 生疏 (shēng shū), it means you're unfamiliar with it or a bit rusty. Think of it like riding a bike after a long break – you might feel a little 生疏. It can apply to skills, places, or even people you haven't interacted with in a while. For example, if you haven't spoken Chinese for a few months, your Chinese might feel 生疏. You can also use it to describe an unfamiliar road or a new environment.
When something is 生疏 (shēng shū), it means it's unfamiliar or you're out of practice with it, like a skill or a place.
You might say your English is getting 生疏 if you haven't spoken it in a while.
It can also describe a place you haven't been to in a long time and now feels new to you.
Think of it as the opposite of being very familiar or proficient.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 生疏 with 陌生 (mòshēng)
Many learners, especially at the A2 level, tend to mix up 生疏 (shēngshū) and 陌生 (mòshēng). Both can refer to a lack of familiarity, but they are used in different contexts. 陌生 (mòshēng) generally means 'strange' or 'unfamiliar' when talking about people or places you've never encountered before. It describes something completely new to you.
我对这个城市感到很陌生。(Wǒ duì zhège chéngshì gǎndào hěn mòshēng.)
- Translation hint
- I feel very unfamiliar/strange with this city. (Meaning: The city is new to me.)
In contrast, 生疏 (shēngshū) implies a previous familiarity that has been lost or diminished due to a lack of practice or contact. Think of it as 'rusty' or 'out of practice'. You knew it once, but now it's not as smooth or easy as it used to be.
我的中文有点生疏了。(Wǒ de Zhōngwén yǒudiǎn shēngshū le.)
- Translation hint
- My Chinese is a bit rusty/unfamiliar. (Meaning: I used to be better, but haven't practiced.)
§ Mistake 2: Incorrectly applying 生疏 to all 'unfamiliar' situations
While 生疏 means 'unfamiliar' or 'rusty', it's not a direct substitute for 'unfamiliar' in every English sentence. For example, you wouldn't say a topic is 生疏 to you if you've never studied it before. In that case, you'd use expressions like '不了解' (bù liǎojiě - don't understand) or '不熟悉' (bù shúxī - not familiar with).
生疏 typically applies to skills, languages, relationships, or once-familiar environments. It implies a previous level of proficiency or intimacy that has declined.
When talking about a skill:
很久没弹钢琴了，手都生疏了。(Hěn jiǔ méi tán gāngqín le, shǒu dōu shēngshū le.)
- Translation hint
- Haven't played piano for a long time, my hands are all rusty/out of practice.
When talking about a relationship:
我们很久没见面了，感觉有点生疏。(Wǒmen hěn jiǔ méi jiànmiàn le, gǎnjué yǒudiǎn shēngshū.)
- Translation hint
- We haven't met for a long time, feel a bit unfamiliar/distant.
§ Mistake 3: Forgetting the 'le' with 生疏
Often, when expressing that something has become 生疏, you'll hear and see the particle '了' (le) at the end of the sentence or after 生疏. This '了' indicates a change of state – something *has become* unfamiliar or rusty. Omitting it can sometimes make the sentence sound less natural, though not always grammatically incorrect.
这个软件很久没用，都生疏了。(Zhège ruǎnjiàn hěn jiǔ méi yòng, dōu shēngshū le.)
- Translation hint
- Haven't used this software for a long time, it's all rusty now.
Examples by Level
我刚来这个城市，一切都很生疏。
I just arrived in this city, everything is very unfamiliar.
好久没说中文了，有点生疏了。
I haven't spoken Chinese for a long time, it's a bit rusty.
我对这份工作还很生疏。
I am still very unfamiliar with this job.
他对我生疏的态度让我不舒服。
His unfamiliar attitude towards me made me uncomfortable.
这门技术我很久没用了，感觉生疏了。
I haven't used this skill for a long time, it feels rusty.
我们很久没见了，所以有点生疏。
We haven't seen each other for a long time, so we're a bit unfamiliar.
他对这里的规矩还很生疏。
He is still very unfamiliar with the rules here.
生疏的环境让我感到紧张。
The unfamiliar environment makes me feel nervous.
我对这个城市很生疏。
I am unfamiliar with this city.
我的中文有点生疏了。
My Chinese is a bit rusty.
他刚来，对这里的一切都很生疏。
He just arrived, everything here is new to him.
长时间不用，我的驾驶技术都生疏了。
After not using it for a long time, my driving skills have become rusty.
这条路很生疏，我以前没走过。
This road is unfamiliar, I haven't taken it before.
我生疏的口音让人听出我不是本地人。
My unfamiliar accent made people realize I'm not local.
别担心，生疏是暂时的，很快就会习惯的。
Don't worry, being unfamiliar is temporary, you'll get used to it quickly.
虽然很久没弹琴了，但手感并没有完全生疏。
Although I haven't played the piano for a long time, my touch hasn't completely gotten rusty.
他对这份工作还很生疏。
He is still unfamiliar with this job.
生疏 (shēng shū) as an adjective modifying a state.
好久没用这个软件，有点生疏了。
I haven't used this software for a long time, so I'm a bit rusty.
生疏 (shēng shū) indicating a skill becoming rusty.
他们之间关系生疏了。
Their relationship has become estranged.
生疏 (shēng shū) describing a relationship.
我对这里的环境还很生疏。
I am still very unfamiliar with the environment here.
生疏 (shēng shū) describing familiarity with surroundings.
因为长时间不练习，我的钢琴技巧变得生疏了。
Because I haven't practiced for a long time, my piano skills have become rusty.
生疏 (shēng shū) describing a skill becoming rusty due to lack of practice.
他刚来这个城市，对一切都感到生疏。
He just arrived in this city and feels unfamiliar with everything.
生疏 (shēng shū) expressing a feeling of unfamiliarity.
虽然是老同学，但毕业后很少联系，感觉有些生疏。
Although we are old classmates, we rarely contacted each other after graduation, so it feels a bit unfamiliar.
生疏 (shēng shū) implying a relationship becoming less close.
这条路我以前走过，但现在看起来有些生疏。
I've walked this road before, but it looks a bit unfamiliar now.
生疏 (shēng shū) referring to something that was once familiar but now appears unfamiliar.
他对新环境感到生疏。
He feels unfamiliar with the new environment.
很长时间没用，我的英语有点生疏了。
I haven't used it for a long time, so my English is a bit rusty.
这些规则对我来说很生疏。
These rules are unfamiliar to me.
他们生疏地打了个招呼。
They greeted each other awkwardly/unfamiliarly.
因为好久没联系，他们之间的关系变得有些生疏。
Because they haven't been in touch for a long time, their relationship has become a bit distant/unfamiliar.
离开家乡多年，他对那里的一切都感到生疏。
After leaving his hometown for many years, everything there feels unfamiliar to him.
虽然是同事，但我们平时不怎么交流，所以有些生疏。
Although we are colleagues, we don't communicate much normally, so we are a bit unfamiliar with each other.
她生疏地操作着新机器。
She operated the new machine awkwardly/unfamiliarly.
尽管他在中国生活了十年，回国后对家乡的一些方言还是感到有些生疏。
Although he lived in China for ten years, after returning home he still felt unfamiliar with some local dialects.
感到生疏 (gǎndào shēngshū) means to feel unfamiliar or rusty.
因为长时间没有使用，我对这套软件的操作已经生疏了。
Because I haven't used it for a long time, I'm already rusty with the operation of this software.
对…生疏 (duì… shēngshū) indicates being unfamiliar or rusty with something.
他刚来这个城市，对周围的一切都还很生疏。
He just arrived in this city and is still very unfamiliar with everything around him.
对…生疏 (duì… shēngshū) indicates being unfamiliar or rusty with something.
我们已经很久没见面了，感觉彼此之间有些生疏。
We haven't seen each other for a long time, and it feels like there's some unfamiliarity between us.
彼此之间有些生疏 (bǐcǐ zhī jiān yǒuxiē shēngshū) means there's some unfamiliarity between each other.
重新拿起画笔，她发现自己的绘画技巧已经变得生疏了。
Picking up the paintbrush again, she found that her painting skills had become rusty.
变得生疏 (biànde shēngshū) means to become unfamiliar or rusty.
由于环境变化太大，他一时之间对新的工作流程感到生疏。
Due to the drastic change in environment, he felt unfamiliar with the new workflow for a while.
对…感到生疏 (duì… gǎndào shēngshū) means to feel unfamiliar or rusty with something.
尽管是老同学，但多年不见，聊起来还是有些生疏。
Even though they were old classmates, after not seeing each other for many years, the conversation still felt a bit unfamiliar.
有些生疏 (yǒuxiē shēngshū) means a bit unfamiliar or rusty.
我刚到国外，对当地的文化习俗还很生疏。
I just arrived abroad and am still very unfamiliar with the local culture and customs.
对…很生疏 (duì… hěn shēngshū) means very unfamiliar or rusty with something.
Often Confused With
The character 生 has many meanings, including 'to be born', 'to live', 'raw', 'unripe', 'unfamiliar'. In 生疏, it carries the meaning of 'unfamiliar' or 'raw/unprocessed' in the context of a skill or relationship.
The character 疏 means 'sparse', 'lax', 'distant', 'not close'. In 生疏, it reinforces the idea of something becoming less dense, less tight, or more distant – thus, rusty or unfamiliar.
This is the antonym of 生疏 in many contexts, meaning 'familiar' or 'well-acquainted'. For example, 熟悉一个地方 (shúxī yī ge dìfang) - familiar with a place; 熟悉一项技能 (shúxī yī xiàng jìnéng) - familiar with a skill.
Easily Confused
Both 生疏 and 陌生 mean 'unfamiliar'. However, 生疏 typically describes something that *was* familiar but has become unfamiliar due to lack of practice or contact, like a skill, a place, or a person you haven't seen in a long time. 陌生, on the other hand, describes something or someone that was *never* familiar to begin with.
生疏 implies a loss of familiarity, while 陌生 implies a lack of prior familiarity.
我的中文生疏了，很久没说了。(Wǒ de Zhōngwén shēngshū le, hěn jiǔ méi shuō le.) - My Chinese is rusty, I haven't spoken it in a long time. / 我对这个地方很陌生。(Wǒ duì zhè ge dìfang hěn mòshēng.) - I am very unfamiliar with this place.
Both can mean 'unfamiliar'. However, 不熟悉 is a more general term for 'not familiar with' and can apply to anything from a person to a topic to a place. 生疏 specifically implies a skill or knowledge that has become rusty.
不熟悉 is a general lack of familiarity, 生疏 implies a skill or knowledge becoming rusty.
我对上海不太熟悉。(Wǒ duì Shànghǎi bù tài shúxī.) - I'm not very familiar with Shanghai. / 他的厨艺有点生疏了。(Tā de chúyì yǒu diǎn shēngshū le.) - His cooking skills are a bit rusty.
Both relate to a lack of proficiency. However, 不熟练 specifically refers to a skill that is not practiced enough or not mastered. 生疏 implies that a previously acquired skill has been lost or diminished due to lack of use.
不熟练 means not proficient, while 生疏 means proficiency has declined.
他开车还不熟练。(Tā kāichē hái bù shúliàn.) - He's not yet skilled at driving. / 我的钢琴生疏了，很久没弹了。(Wǒ de gāngqín shēngshū le, hěn jiǔ méi tán le.) - My piano playing is rusty, I haven't played for a long time.
While 陌生人 means 'stranger', and 陌生 implies unfamiliarity, 生疏 does not apply to people in the same way. You wouldn't say someone is '生疏' as a direct translation of 'stranger'. You could say you are 生疏 with someone you haven't seen in a long time, meaning you feel a bit distant or awkward with them.
陌生人 is a noun meaning 'stranger'. 生疏 describes a relationship or skill becoming distant/rusty.
不要跟陌生人说话。(Bú yào gēn mòshēngrén shuō huà.) - Don't talk to strangers. / 我和老朋友有点生疏了。(Wǒ hé lǎo péngyǒu yǒu diǎn shēngshū le.) - I feel a bit distant from my old friends (due to not seeing them).
Both relate to inexperience. However, 生手 refers to a novice or beginner in a particular task or skill. 生疏 describes a state of being rusty in a skill that was once known.
生手 is a beginner; 生疏 describes a skill becoming rusty.
他是公司的新生手。(Tā shì gōngsī de xīn shēngshǒu.) - He's the new hand at the company. / 我的英文有点生疏了。(Wǒ de Yīngwén yǒu diǎn shēngshū le.) - My English is a bit rusty.
Word Family
Nouns
How to Use It
When something is 生疏 (shēng shū), it means you're not familiar with it anymore, or you haven't practiced it in a while and your skills are rusty. It can refer to skills, knowledge, or even people you haven't seen in a long time.
Examples:
我的中文有点生疏了，很久没说了。(My Chinese is a bit rusty, I haven't spoken it for a long time.)
这条路我很生疏，你带路吧。(I'm very unfamiliar with this road, you lead the way.)
我们很久没见面了，感觉有点生疏。(We haven't met for a long time, it feels a bit unfamiliar/awkward.)
A common mistake is confusing 生疏 (shēng shū) with 陌生 (mò shēng). While both relate to unfamiliarity, 陌生 specifically refers to people or places that are completely unknown to you. 生疏 implies a previous familiarity that has faded.
You wouldn't say: *我对他很生疏。(Incorrect, unless you mean you used to know them but now feel distant.)
Instead, you'd say: 我对他很陌生。(I'm very unfamiliar with him/He's a stranger to me.)
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
When talking about skills you haven't practiced in a while.
- 我的中文有点生疏了。
- 好久没弹钢琴，手都生疏了。
- 开车技术生疏了不少。
Describing a place you haven't visited in a long time.
- 这个地方好生疏啊。
- 回老家发现很多地方都生疏了。
- 对这座城市感到很生疏。
Referring to people you don't know well or haven't seen in ages.
- 我们以前是同学，现在有点生疏了。
- 他们俩关系生疏了。
- 和新同事还有点生疏。
When a language feels unfamiliar because you haven't used it.
- 长时间不说英语，感觉很生疏。
- 虽然学过日语，但现在已经很生疏了。
- 我的发音有点生疏。
Talking about an unfamiliar method or way of doing things.
- 这种新的工作方式让我感到生疏。
- 对这个软件的操作还很生疏。
- 他用这种生疏的语气说话。
Conversation Starters
"你有没有什么技能因为长时间没用而变得生疏了？"
"你最近有没有去一个让你感到生疏的地方？"
"有没有一些老朋友，因为很久没联系，你们的关系有点生疏了？"
"你觉得学习一门语言，多久不用就会开始生疏？"
"你在工作或学习中，有没有遇到过让你感到生疏的新方法或新工具？"
Journal Prompts
描述一下你曾经很擅长，但现在已经生疏了的一项技能。
写写你最近感到生疏的一个地方或一段关系。
回忆一下你学习中文的过程中，有没有某个阶段觉得特别生疏？你是怎么克服的？
想象一下五年后，你最不想让哪项技能或知识变得生疏？你会怎么保持它？
思考一下，在日常生活中，你如何避免让重要的关系变得生疏？
Test Yourself 96 questions
这个地方我很___，以前没来过。
因为 '没来过' (haven't been here before)，所以这个地方是 '生疏' (unfamiliar) 的。
我的汉语很久没说了，有点___了。
很久没说 (haven't spoken for a long time) 导致汉语 '生疏' (rusty)。
第一次见面，我们有点___，聊得不多。
第一次见面 (first time meeting) 常常会让人觉得 '生疏' (unfamiliar/a bit awkward)。
他刚来北京，对这里的一切都感觉很___。
刚来一个新地方 (just arrived at a new place)，所以对那里的一切都会感到 '生疏' (unfamiliar)。
这项工作我好久没做了，现在感觉有点___。
好久没做 (haven't done for a long time) 导致对工作感到 '生疏' (rusty)。
虽然我们是同学，但平时不怎么说话，所以还有点___。
不怎么说话 (don't talk much) 会让同学之间感到有点 '生疏' (unfamiliar)。
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 我的中文有点___。
The sentence means 'My Chinese is a bit unfamiliar/rusty.' '生疏' fits this meaning.
Which word means 'unfamiliar'?
'生疏' specifically means unfamiliar or rusty.
If you haven't practiced something for a long time, it might feel...
'生疏' describes something becoming unfamiliar or rusty due to lack of practice.
If you learn a new skill, it feels '生疏' (shēngshū) at first.
When you first learn something new, it's often unfamiliar or '生疏'.
My old friend looks very '生疏' (shēngshū) to me.
'生疏' is usually used for skills or places, not people you know well. You might say an old friend feels 'unfamiliar' if you haven't seen them for a long time, but '生疏' for a person often implies they are a stranger.
Playing the piano after many years can feel '生疏' (shēngshū).
If you haven't played the piano for a long time, your skills would likely be rusty, which is what '生疏' describes.
This sentence means 'My Chinese is a bit rusty.' '中文' (zhōngwén) is Chinese, '有点' (yǒudiǎn) means a little, '生疏' (shēngshū) is unfamiliar/rusty, and '了' (le) indicates a change of state.
This means 'This place is very unfamiliar to me.' '这' (zhè) is this, '地方' (dìfang) is place, '我' (wǒ) is I/me, '很' (hěn) is very, and '生疏' (shēngshū) is unfamiliar.
This sentence means 'We haven't seen each other for a long time, so we're a bit unfamiliar.' '我们' (wǒmen) is we, '好久' (hǎojiǔ) is a long time, '没见' (méi jiàn) is haven't seen, '有点' (yǒudiǎn) is a little, '生疏' (shēngshū) is unfamiliar, and '了' (le) indicates a change of state.
因为很长时间没开车，我的驾驶技术有点___。
The sentence implies that because the person hasn't driven for a long time, their driving skills are not as good as before, meaning they are rusty or unfamiliar. '生疏' (shēngshū) fits this meaning perfectly. '熟悉' (shúxī) means familiar, '熟练' (shúliàn) means proficient, and '陌生' (mòshēng) means strange/unfamiliar (usually for people or places).
虽然我学过法语，但是很久没用了，现在感觉很___。
The context indicates that the person learned French but hasn't used it for a long time, so they feel rusty or unfamiliar with it. '生疏' (shēngshū) is the appropriate word. '简单' (jiǎndān) means simple, '困难' (kùnnán) means difficult, and '流利' (liúlì) means fluent.
我们很久没见面了，现在感觉有点___。
When people haven't seen each other for a long time, they might feel a bit unfamiliar or distant. '生疏' (shēngshū) captures this meaning. '亲切' (qīnqiè) means kind/amiable, '熟悉' (shúxī) means familiar, and '热情' (rèqíng) means enthusiastic.
这个软件我第一次用，操作起来有点___。
If it's the first time using a software, the operation will naturally be unfamiliar. '生疏' (shēngshū) is the best fit. '容易' (róngyì) means easy, '熟练' (shúliàn) means proficient, and '方便' (fāngbiàn) means convenient.
我的中文发音有点___，需要多练习。
If someone needs to practice their Chinese pronunciation, it implies it might be rusty or not perfect, which can be described as '生疏' (shēngshū). '准确' (zhǔnquè) means accurate, '标准' (biāozhǔn) means standard, and '清晰' (qīngxī) means clear.
搬到新城市后，我对周围的环境还很___。
When moving to a new city, one is typically unfamiliar with the surroundings. '生疏' (shēngshū) describes this unfamiliarity. '熟悉' (shúxī) means familiar, '了解' (liǎojiě) means to understand, and '习惯' (xíguàn) means to be used to.
Choose the best translation for '生疏'.
'生疏' (shēngshū) means unfamiliar or rusty. It describes a lack of familiarity or practice.
我的中文有点___，好久没说了。
The sentence means 'My Chinese is a bit unfamiliar/rusty, I haven't spoken it for a long time.' '生疏' fits best here.
她对这个城市很___，需要地图。
The sentence means 'She is very unfamiliar with this city, she needs a map.' '生疏' is the correct choice.
如果你很久没做一件事，你会觉得很生疏。
This statement is true. '生疏' describes feeling rusty or unfamiliar after a long period of not doing something.
生疏的意思是“很熟悉”。
This statement is false. '生疏' means 'unfamiliar' or 'rusty', which is the opposite of '很熟悉' (very familiar).
我刚到一个新地方，所以一切都很生疏。
This statement is true. When you arrive at a new place, everything is likely to be unfamiliar, which is what '生疏' means.
He is unfamiliar with this place.
My Chinese is a bit rusty.
I just arrived, everything here is new to me.
Read this aloud:
我的英语有点生疏了，需要多练习。
Focus: 生疏 (shēngshū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他开车技术有点生疏了。
Focus: 生疏 (shēngshū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这个词对我来说很生疏。
Focus: 生疏 (shēngshū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You moved to a new city. Write a short message to a friend about feeling unfamiliar with the environment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我刚搬到新城市，对这里的一切都感到很生疏。我需要一些时间来适应。
You haven't spoken Chinese in a while. Write a sentence explaining that your Chinese is a bit rusty.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我很久没说中文了，所以我的中文有点生疏了。
Describe a situation where you felt unfamiliar with a new skill or task.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我第一次学开车的时候，感觉一切都很生疏，手脚都不协调。
小王对新公司的工作环境有什么感觉？
Read this passage:
小王去了一个新公司，他对那里的工作环境很生疏。他花了一周时间才慢慢适应。现在他已经可以独立完成任务了。
小王对新公司的工作环境有什么感觉？
文章中明确提到“他对那里的工作环境很生疏”。
文章中明确提到“他对那里的工作环境很生疏”。
老李的驾驶技术怎么样了？
Read this passage:
老李退休后，很久没有开车了。有一次他需要开车去超市，但他感觉自己的驾驶技术已经很生疏了，所以他开得很慢。
老李的驾驶技术怎么样了？
文章中提到“他感觉自己的驾驶技术已经很生疏了”。
文章中提到“他感觉自己的驾驶技术已经很生疏了”。
玛丽的法语为什么会生疏？
Read this passage:
玛丽以前学过法语，但她已经好几年没用了。现在她想去法国旅游，发现自己的法语很生疏，很多单词都忘了。
玛丽的法语为什么会生疏？
文章中提到“她已经好几年没用了”，导致法语很生疏。
文章中提到“她已经好几年没用了”，导致法语很生疏。
因为长时间没说中文，我的口语有些___了。
Here, '生疏' means 'rusty' or 'unfamiliar' due to lack of practice, which fits the context of not speaking Chinese for a long time.
这个地方对他来说很___，他从来没来过。
'生疏' in this context means 'unfamiliar' or 'strange' because he has never been there before. '陌生' could also work, but '生疏' implies a lack of familiarity that leads to a feeling of being a stranger.
尽管学过这首歌，但很久没唱，感觉有点___。
When you haven't sung a song for a long time, it can feel 'rusty' or 'unfamiliar', which is what '生疏' conveys here.
搬到新城市后，我对周围的一切都感到很___。
Moving to a new city often means everything around you is 'unfamiliar', fitting the meaning of '生疏'.
她以前是钢琴老师，但现在手指变得有些___了。
If someone was a piano teacher but hasn't played in a while, their fingers might feel 'rusty' or 'unaccustomed', meaning '生疏'.
第一次使用这个软件，操作起来觉得有些___。
When using new software for the first time, the operations can feel 'unfamiliar' or 'awkward', which '生疏' describes well.
He is unfamiliar with everything in this city.
Because I haven't practiced for a long time, my Chinese has become a bit rusty.
When I first started this job, I felt very unfamiliar with the business process.
Read this aloud:
虽然我在中国住过几年，但回到家乡后，对这里的一些习俗还是感到有些生疏。
Focus: 生疏 (shēng shū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这门编程语言我学过，但是很久没用了，现在用起来手很生疏。
Focus: 手很生疏 (shǒu hěn shēng shū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
刚来公司时，他对所有同事都感到很生疏，但很快就熟悉起来了。
Focus: 感到很生疏 (gǎn dào hěn shēng shū)
You said:
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她长时间没弹钢琴，手法有些___了。
The sentence implies that after a long time without playing, her piano skills have become unfamiliar or rusty, which matches '生疏'.
这个地方我已经很久没来了，感觉有点___。
The speaker hasn't been to this place for a long time, so it feels unfamiliar. '生疏' is appropriate here, conveying a sense of having lost touch.
尽管是老同学，多年不见，我们之间还是有些___。
Even old classmates can feel a bit unfamiliar or distant after many years apart. '生疏' captures this feeling.
他刚到新公司，对很多业务流程都感到___。
Someone new to a company would naturally be unfamiliar with its business processes. '生疏' describes this lack of familiarity.
学习编程一段时间没碰，许多代码知识都___了。
If you don't practice programming for a while, your knowledge can become rusty or unfamiliar. '生疏' fits this meaning perfectly.
我们很久没有联系了，不知道现在彼此是否还感到___。
After a long period without contact, there's a possibility of feeling unfamiliar or distant from each other. '生疏' expresses this.
He feels unfamiliar with everything in this city.
After a long time without using it, my spoken English has become rusty.
This job is very unfamiliar to him; he needs time to adapt.
Read this aloud:
请用“生疏”形容你第一次去一个新地方的感受。
Focus: 生疏
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
描述一个你曾经很擅长但现在有些生疏的技能。
Focus: 生疏
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
如果你对某件事情感到生疏，你会怎么做？
Focus: 生疏
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe a time you felt 'rusty' or 'unfamiliar' with a skill or situation, and how you overcame it. Use '生疏' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我刚到这个城市的时候，对这里的公交系统感到很生疏，每次坐车都要查很久的路线图。经过一段时间的摸索，我才慢慢熟悉起来，现在已经可以轻松出行了。
Imagine you're reconnecting with an old friend after many years. How would you describe the initial feeling of '生疏' and how it changed as you talked? Write a short paragraph.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
和老同学多年未见，刚开始聊的时候觉得有些生疏，彼此都不知道从何说起。但随着话题的深入，我们很快找回了当年的默契，仿佛时间从未流逝。
You've just started a new job in a completely different field. Write a short journal entry about your initial experiences, focusing on how '生疏' you feel with the new tasks and environment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今天是我在新公司上班的第一天，面对全新的工作内容和同事，我感到非常生疏。很多操作都需要重新学习，但我相信只要努力，很快就能适应。
小明的手指为什么会感到生疏？
Read this passage:
小明最近开始学习一项新的乐器，但由于长时间没有练习，他的手指变得有些生疏。尽管如此，他并没有放弃，每天坚持练习，希望能够尽快找回手感。
小明的手指为什么会感到生疏？
文章中明确提到“长时间没有练习”导致手指生疏。
文章中明确提到“长时间没有练习”导致手指生疏。
这位作家在故乡感到生疏的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
一位移居海外多年的作家回到故乡，发现家乡的面貌发生了翻天覆地的变化。曾经熟悉的小巷变得陌生，连口音也让他感到有些生疏。他感叹时间的流逝，也思考着故乡与自身的关系。
这位作家在故乡感到生疏的原因是什么？
文章中指出“曾经熟悉的小巷变得陌生”和“口音也让他感到有些生疏”，都说明是故乡的变化导致了他的生疏感。
文章中指出“曾经熟悉的小巷变得陌生”和“口音也让他感到有些生疏”，都说明是故乡的变化导致了他的生疏感。
小李为什么会感到生疏？
Read this passage:
在一个新的团队中，小李发现自己对同事们的合作模式感到有些生疏。他习惯了独立完成任务，而这里更强调团队协作。为了更好地融入，他主动与同事沟通，学习新的工作方式。
小李为什么会感到生疏？
文章中明确提到“他习惯了独立完成任务，而这里更强调团队协作”，这是他感到生疏的原因。
文章中明确提到“他习惯了独立完成任务，而这里更强调团队协作”，这是他感到生疏的原因。
This sentence describes how a language becomes rusty due to lack of use. The structure '因为...所以...' (because...therefore...) connects the reason and result.
This sentence explains why the city is unfamiliar to him. '对他来说' (for him) introduces the perspective, and '毕竟' (after all) provides a reinforcing reason.
This sentence highlights that many skills previously mastered have become rusty. '以前...现在都...' (formerly...now all...) shows a contrast over time.
自从他移居国外，对家乡的一切都变得___了。
The sentence implies a loss of familiarity due to moving abroad, so '生疏' (unfamiliar/rusty) is the most appropriate fit.
她很久没有弹钢琴了，手法有些___。
The context '很久没有弹钢琴' (hasn't played piano for a long time) suggests her skills are '生疏' (rusty).
虽然我们曾经是好朋友，但多年未见，彼此之间也有些___了。
'多年未见' (haven't seen for many years) implies a lack of recent interaction, making '生疏' (unfamiliar/distant) suitable.
由于工作调动，他对新的环境还感到有点___。
A new work environment naturally leads to feeling '生疏' (unfamiliar) with it initially.
长时间不使用某种语言，会发现自己对它变得___。
Not using a language for a long time will make one '生疏' (rusty) in it.
尽管他是本地人，但离开家乡太久，对当地的风土人情也变得___。
Even a local person can become '生疏' (unfamiliar) with their hometown's customs after a long absence.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 他已经很久没有打网球了，所以手感有些____。
The sentence indicates that he hasn't played tennis for a long time, so his touch is a bit 'unfamiliar' or 'rusty'. '生疏' fits this meaning.
Which of the following describes someone who is out of practice with a skill?
'生疏' directly means unfamiliar or rusty, which applies to someone who is out of practice. The other options imply proficiency or experience.
Complete the sentence: 因为长时间不使用这门语言，我觉得我的口语变得有些____。
The sentence implies that due to not using the language for a long time, the speaker's spoken language has become 'unfamiliar' or 'rusty'. '生疏' is the correct choice here.
If you are '生疏' with a skill, it means you are very proficient at it.
'生疏' means unfamiliar or rusty, implying a lack of proficiency, not a high level of skill.
When you meet an old friend you haven't seen in years, your relationship might feel a bit '生疏' at first.
'生疏' can describe a relationship that feels a bit distant or unfamiliar due to a lack of recent interaction.
To overcome feeling '生疏' with something, one typically needs more practice.
If something feels '生疏' (unfamiliar or rusty), the common remedy is to practice it more to regain familiarity or skill.
This sentence describes someone's driving skills becoming rusty after not driving for many years. '多年不开车' (not driving for many years) sets the context, and '驾驶技术生疏了' (driving skills became rusty) is the result.
The sentence expresses that the speaker feels unfamiliar with the environment. '我' (I) is the subject, '已经感到' (already feel) is the verb phrase, and '这个环境很生疏了' (this environment is very unfamiliar) describes the feeling.
This sentence explains that he became unfamiliar with his friends because he hadn't seen them for a long time. '他很久没见了' (He hasn't seen them for a long time) is the cause, and '和朋友们变得生疏了' (became unfamiliar with his friends) is the effect.
/ 96 correct
Perfect score!
Example
长时间不用，我的英语口语变得有点生疏了。
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This Word in Other Languages
More business words
本事
A2Skill; ability; capability.
相应地
B1Correspondingly.
账号
A2account (e.g., bank, online)
客户经理
A2account manager
账户
B1A record of financial transactions for an individual or business, usually at a bank; or a user profile for a digital service.
会计
A2accounting, accountant
收购
B1To purchase; to acquire (a company).
商业活动
A2Business activity.
广告费
A2Advertising expenses.
调整
B1To change something slightly in order to make it more correct, effective, or suitable.
