标准 (biāozhǔn)

标准 refers to a standard, criterion, or benchmark used to evaluate whether something meets a required level. As an adjective it means "standard" or "up to standard." It is used in quality control, language learning, and all situations where norms need to be established.

Meanings

[noun] Standard; criterion; benchmark; norm.
[adjective] Standard; up to standard; correct.

Example Sentences

这家工厂生产的产品完全符合国家质量标准。 Zhè jiā gōngchǎng shēngchǎn de chǎnpǐn wánquán fúhé guójiā zhìliàng biāozhǔn. The products made by this factory fully comply with national quality standards.

她的普通话发音非常标准，听起来像专业播音员。 Tā de pǔtōnghuà fāyīn fēicháng biāozhǔn, tīng qǐlái xiàng zhuānyè bōyīn yuán. Her Mandarin pronunciation is very standard; she sounds like a professional broadcaster.

每个人对成功的标准都不一样，这是非常正常的。 Měi gèrén duì chénggōng de biāozhǔn dōu bù yīyàng, zhè shì fēicháng zhèngcháng de. Everyone has a different standard for success, and that is completely normal.

申请这个职位，候选人需要达到一定的学历和经验标准。 Shēnqǐng zhège zhíwèi, hòuxuǎn rén xūyào dádào yīdìng de xuélì hé jīngyàn biāozhǔn. To apply for this position, candidates need to meet certain educational and experience standards.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
质量标准	quality standard
达到标准	meet the standard
国家标准	national standard
评价标准	evaluation criteria
符合标准	comply with the standard

Usage Notes

标准 can function as both a noun and an attributive adjective: 标准答案 (standard answer), 标准时间 (standard time), 标准普通话 (standard Mandarin). When used as a predicate adjective, it usually takes 非常/很: 她的发音很标准 (Her pronunciation is very standard). In language learning, 标准 pronunciation is aspirational — it refers to the neutral, prestige form of Mandarin Chinese.

Memory Hook

标 means "a marking pole/sign" and 准 means "accurate/on target." A standard is a marking pole you shoot at to know if your aim is accurate — the benchmark everything is measured against.