初中 chū zhōng
“junior high school (abbr. for 初级中学)”
noun2021 list level 3
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
初中 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 565: 初中 chūzhōng — Level 3; official annotation 3 (名). PDF page 94
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 初中
初中 is a noun meaning junior high school, the three-year level between primary school and senior high school; it is short for 初级中学. It is commonly used after verbs such as 上、读、念 and in compounds like 初中生、初中老师、初中毕业. As a school type it can also be counted with 所, as in 一所初中.
例句Example sentences
- 我妹妹今年秋天开始上初中。wǒ mèi mei jīn nián qiū tiān kāi shǐ shàng chū zhōng.My younger sister starts junior high school this autumn.
- 他初中毕业后去了一所职业学校。tā chū zhōng bì yè hòu qù le yì suǒ zhí yè xué xiào.After graduating from junior high school, he went to a vocational school.
- 这所初中的老师都很负责。zhè suǒ chū zhōng de lǎo shī dōu hěn fù zé.The teachers at this junior high school are all very responsible.
易混词Easily confused
初中vs中学
中学 is a broader term covering both 初中 (junior high) and 高中 (senior high); 初中 refers specifically to the junior high level.