尤其 (yóuqí) means "especially" or "in particular" in Mandarin. You use it after a general statement to zoom in on one thing that stands out most from a group — whether you're sharing a preference or making a recommendation.
The structure is simple: make a broad statement first, then add 尤其 + (是) + the specific thing you want to highlight. The optional 是 (shì) makes the focus feel more pointed.
Example: 我喜欢中国菜，尤其是四川菜 (wǒ xǐhuan Zhōngguó cài, yóuqí shì Sìchuān cài) — "I like Chinese food, especially Sichuan food."
Here you start with the general category (Chinese food) and then narrow to the one dish that stands out most for you (Sichuan food). Always move from the big picture to the specific highlight — that's what makes 尤其 (yóuqí) feel natural in conversation.
This is a live voice lesson: you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time, not type. The lesson focuses on this one grammar pattern and takes roughly 10 minutes. Mei Lin listens, corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation, and adapts to your level. You'll practice making general statements about your preferences and then narrowing to a specific favorite using 尤其 (yóuqí).
The first lesson is free to try.
When you're ready for more, visit the HSK 4 lessons hub page for more at this level. You can also try another HSK 4 live lesson on 甚至 (shènzhì) or another HSK 4 live lesson on 不仅...而且 (bùjǐn...érqiě). To reinforce characters from earlier levels, try the free printable Chinese worksheet generator with ready-made packs covering HSK 1–3 words.
尤其 (yóuqí) means "especially" or "in particular." You place it after a general statement to highlight one specific thing that stands out — for example, saying you like Chinese food, especially Sichuan food. The structure is: ..., 尤其 + (是) + Focus. The optional 是 makes the emphasis sharper.
No, 是 is optional. 尤其 (yóuqí) alone works, but adding 是 — forming 尤其是 — makes the highlight feel more pointed. In the example 我喜欢中国菜，尤其是四川菜, the 是 narrows the focus directly to Sichuan food as the standout within Chinese food.
You'll talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin about your own preferences, using 尤其 (yóuqí) to single out a favorite within a broader category. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation as you speak, and the lesson takes about 10 minutes. The goal is to go from a general statement to a specific highlight naturally in conversation.
This is an HSK 4 grammar lesson, so it's designed for intermediate learners. Mei Lin adapts to your level during the conversation, so you don't need to be perfect — you just need to be ready to practice speaking. The first lesson is free to try.