HSK 6
超-、多-、反-、无-、亚-、准-
chāo - 、 duō - 、 fǎn - 、 wú - 、 yà - 、 zhǔn -
Prefixes marking degree or quality: 超-, 多-, 反-, 无-, 亚-, 准-
Explanation
These are "prefix-like" morphemes (类前缀 lèi qián zhuì) — syllables placed before a noun or adjective to form a new word, each carrying a fixed shade of meaning.
Prefix + noun/adjective → new word. 超-(chāo) super, surpassing; 多-(duō) multi, many; 反-(fǎn) anti, counter; 无-(wú) without, -less; 亚-(yà) sub-, below/nearly; 准-(zhǔn) about-to-be/quasi.
超自然 (chāo zì rán) = supernatural; 无烟 (wú yān) = smoke-free; 准妈妈 (zhǔn mā ma) = mother-to-be.
Used to name concepts concisely, common in journalism, science, and advertising. Each prefix can combine with many different words, so it helps expand vocabulary systematically (e.g. 无- can combine to form 无烟, 无糖 wú táng sugar-free, 无线 wú xiàn wireless).
Vietnamese learners often translate character by character and get the meaning wrong — 亚健康 is not "second-healthy" but "a sub-healthy state, below normal health"; 准妈妈 is not "standard mother" but "a woman who is pregnant, a mother-to-be." Also, do not insert 的 (de) between the prefix and the word (wrong: 无的烟).
Examples
supernatural, multi-angle, counterproductive, smoke-free, sub-healthy (below-normal health), mother-to-be (pregnant)
Learn “超-、多-、反-、无-、亚-、准-” effectively
The grammar point “超-、多-、反-、无-、亚-、准-” (Prefixes marking degree or quality: 超-, 多-, 反-, 无-, 亚-, 准-) is one of the key structures at HSK 6. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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