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particle / measure word / noun HSK 4
suǒ
that which · place · classifier for buildings/institutions

Meaning

所 is a versatile character serving multiple functions in modern Chinese. Most commonly, it appears as a grammatical particle in the 所 structure (被/为...所...) to mark passive constructions or to nominalize verb phrases, meaning 'that which is'. It also functions as a measure word for buildings, schools, hospitals, and other institutions.

Usage

In formal or written Chinese, 所 frequently appears in the pattern '所 + verb' to create noun phrases (e.g., 所见 'what is seen', 所闻 'what is heard'). As a measure word, it's used primarily for institutions: 一所学校 (one school), 三所医院 (three hospitals). The character rarely appears alone in casual speech but is extremely common in set patterns and formal expressions.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们学校附近新开了三所医院。
    Wǒmen xuéxiào fùjìn xīn kāi le sān suǒ yīyuàn.
    Three new hospitals opened near our school.
  2. 02
    他所说的话让我很感动。
    Tā suǒ shuō de huà ràng wǒ hěn gǎndòng.
    What he said really moved me.

Common collocations

  • 所以
    suǒ yǐ
    therefore; so
  • 所有
    suǒ yǒu
    all; every
  • 所谓
    suǒ wèi
    so-called; what is called
  • 一所学校
    yī suǒ xué xiào
    one school

Origin

Originally depicted a door or gateway, indicating a place or location. Over time, it evolved to indicate 'that which' or to mark the object of an action in classical Chinese grammar.

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