Meaning of 处于
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to be in (some state, position, or condition)
How to use 处于
处于 is a formal verb used before abstract nouns like states, stages, or positions, often with 中 or 状态. It is common in news and writing. Example: 公司正处于发展阶段。(Gōngsī zhèng chǔyú fāzhǎn jiēduàn.) The company is in a stage of development.
处 (chǔ) means to be situated or to deal with, and 于 (yú) means in or at. Put together, 处于 is literally to be situated in, so you are placed inside a certain state or stage.
Common mistake: 处 has two readings. In 处于 and 处理 it is third tone chǔ, but in 到处, 好处 and 坏处 it is fourth tone chù. Learners often say chùyú by mistake.
处于 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
处 chù · place · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
于 yú · to go · 3 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
Related words
Words that share a character with 处于.
| 到处 | dàochù | everywhere |
| 好处 | hǎochù | easy to get along with |
| 等于 | děngyú | to equal; to be tantamount to |
| 坏处 | huàichù | harm; troubles |
| 处理 | chǔlǐ | to handle; to deal with; to punish |
| 终于 | zhōngyú | at last; in the end |
| 属于 | shǔyú | to belong to; to fall under (a category) |
| 由于 | yóuyú | due to; as a result of |
| 长处 | chángchù | good aspects; strong points |
| 短处 | duǎnchù | shortcoming; defect |
| 关于 | guānyú | pertaining to; concerning |
| 对于 | duìyú | regarding; as far as (sth) is concerned; with regard to |
Questions about 处于
What does 处于 mean?
处于 (chǔyú) means "to be in (some state, position, or condition)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 处于?
处于 is made of 2 characters: 处 (5 strokes), 于 (3 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 处于 an HSK word?
Yes. 处于 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 处于 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 处于 is written 處於.
What is the difference between 处于 and 在?
在 is the everyday word for being at a place, like 我在家. 处于 is more formal and is mainly used for abstract situations, such as 处于危险中 (in danger). You would not say 我处于家.
What words commonly follow 处于?
Common partners include 状态 (state), 阶段 (stage), 地位 (position), 危险 (danger) and 困境 (difficult situation). For example, 处于领先地位 means to be in a leading position.