Defining Abstract Ideas in Mandarin: Saying What Justice or Happiness Means
Learn to define abstract nouns like 公平, 幸福 and 自由 in simple Mandarin using 就是, 指的是 and 意思是说, with natural examples and a short dialogue.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Defining an abstract idea is one of the most useful intermediate skills in Mandarin. Instead of describing an event or telling a story, you state what a word means: 'Justice means fairness for everyone.' Chinese handles this with a small set of linking patterns. The most common is A 就是 B, where 就是 links the abstract term to a plain-language explanation. You can also use 指的是 ('refers to') for a more precise, slightly formal definition, and 意思是说 ('what it means is') when you want to restate something in easier words. This lesson teaches these patterns with abstract nouns such as 公平 (fairness), 幸福 (happiness), 自由 (freedom) and 尊重 (respect). The goal is not to translate English definitions word for word, but to build short, natural Chinese definitions you can actually say in conversation or writing.
By the end, you can…
- define an abstract noun in Mandarin using 就是 and 指的是.
- restate a definition in simpler words with 意思是说.
- ask someone what a word means and respond with a short definition.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
公平就是每个人都得到同样的对待。
Justice means everyone is treated the same way.
gōngpíng jiùshì měi ge rén dōu dédào tóngyàng de duìdài
The basic A 就是 B definition pattern; 都 before the verb means 'all, without exception'.
幸福指的是一个人觉得自己过得很好。
Happiness refers to a person feeling that their life is going well.
xìngfú zhǐdeshì yí ge rén juéde zìjǐ guò de hěn hǎo
指的是 is slightly more formal than 就是 and suits written or careful spoken definitions.
自由的意思是说自己可以决定自己的事。
Freedom means that you can decide your own affairs.
zìyóu de yìsi shì shuō zìjǐ kěyǐ juédìng zìjǐ de shì
意思是说 introduces a plain-language restatement, often after a term has already been named.
尊重就是你把别人当回事。
Respect means you take other people seriously.
zūnzhòng jiùshì nǐ bǎ biérén dāng huí shì
把别人当回事 is a colloquial way to say 'take someone seriously'; useful in everyday speech.
你说的‘公平’具体指什么？
What exactly do you mean by 'fairness'?
nǐ shuō de ‘gōngpíng’ jùtǐ zhǐ shénme
具体指什么 asks for a concrete definition; 具体 ('specifically, concretely') softens the demand.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [abstract noun] + 就是 + [plain explanation]. 就是 here does not mean 'only'; it works like English 'means' or 'is'. For example: 公平就是每个人都得到同样的对待。 You can also use 指的是 for a more precise definition: 幸福指的是一个人觉得自己过得很好。 When you want to restate in easier words, use 意思是说: 自由的意思是说自己可以决定自己的事。 Notice that Chinese definitions often use 都 ('all') and 自己 ('oneself') to keep the wording general, and they rarely need a word for 'a' or 'the'.
When to use it
Use 就是 in conversation when you want a quick, clear definition: 尊重就是你把别人当回事。 Use 指的是 in writing, presentations or when the term is technical, because it sounds more careful: 责任指的是你该做的事。 Use 意思是说 when the listener may not know the term and you want to rephrase it: 平等的意思是说大家的机会一样。 If someone asks 具体指什么, answer with 就是 or 指的是, then give one concrete example. Avoid stacking several abstract words in one definition; keep the explanation simpler than the term itself.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你觉得‘公平’是什么意思？
What do you think 'fairness' means?nǐ juéde ‘gōngpíng’ shì shénme yìsi公平就是每个人都得到同样的对待。
Fairness means everyone is treated the same way.gōngpíng jiùshì měi ge rén dōu dédào tóngyàng de duìdài那‘幸福’呢？你能说简单一点吗？
Then what about 'happiness'? Can you say it more simply?nà ‘xìngfú’ ne? nǐ néng shuō jiǎndān yìdiǎn ma幸福的意思是说自己觉得生活很好。
Happiness means feeling that your life is good.xìngfú de yìsi shì shuō zìjǐ juéde shēnghuó hěn hǎoA little context goes a long way
Definitions in Chinese often sound more natural when they stay short and concrete. In everyday conversation, 就是 is far more common than a formal dictionary-style sentence, and adding 我觉得 ('I think') can make a definition sound like your opinion rather than an absolute rule. In writing or classroom settings, 指的是 and 意思是说 are preferred because they signal a careful explanation. When discussing values such as 公平 or 自由, speakers may frame them as personal understandings rather than universal truths, so phrases like 对我来说 ('for me') are common and polite.
One thing to watch for
Using 是 alone to mean 'means', as in 公平是每个人都得到同样的对待。
Try this instead: Use 就是 or 指的是 for definitions. 公平就是每个人都得到同样的对待。 is natural; 公平是…… can sound like a bare equation or an incomplete sentence. If you want a formal tone, say 公平指的是每个人都得到同样的对待。
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you define 尊重 using 就是?
Show a sample answer
尊重就是你把别人当回事。
This uses the core A 就是 B pattern with a colloquial explanation. 尊重指的是你重视别人的感受。 is also correct and slightly more formal.
2Someone asks 你说的‘自由’具体指什么？ Give a definition with 指的是.
Show a sample answer
自由指的是你可以自己决定自己的事。
指的是 fits a careful answer to 具体指什么. 自由就是你可以自己决定自己的事。 is equally acceptable in speech.
3Restate this in simpler words: 平等的意思是大家的机会一样。
Show a sample answer
平等的意思是每个人的机会都一样。
意思是说 or 意思是 can introduce a restatement. Adding 每个 ('every') makes the meaning clearer; 平等就是大家的机会一样。 also works.
To define an abstract idea in Mandarin, keep it short: [term] + 就是 / 指的是 + [plain explanation], and use 意思是说 when you restate it in easier words.
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