卓越 vs 卓著 (zhuóyuè vs zhuózhù): outstanding qualities vs remarkable achievements
Both 卓越 and 卓著 mean 'outstanding' or 'remarkable', but they collocate with different nouns. 卓越 describes inherent qualities such as talent, contribution, or wisdom (e.g. 卓越的才能). 卓著 modifies results or reputations that are conspicuously remarkable (e.g. 成效卓著). Using the wrong one creates a collocation error.
卓越 and 卓著 are both formal adjectives meaning 'outstanding' or 'remarkable', but their collocational ranges differ significantly. 卓越 is used with nouns that denote inherent or cultivated qualities: talents, contributions, wisdom, achievements (though 成就 can also take 卓著, it is less common). 卓著 emphasizes that an outcome or reputation is conspicuously remarkable; it typically modifies results (成效), reputation (声誉), merit (功绩), or achievements (成绩, 功勋). In many set phrases, 卓著 appears after the noun (e.g. 声誉卓著), whereas 卓越 usually precedes it. The key is to match the modifier to the type of noun – qualities vs. observable results.
When to use each
Use 卓越 when describing inherent or cultivated qualities: talent, wisdom, contribution, achievement, leadership, performance. It often precedes the noun (e.g. 卓越的才能). It can also modify 成就 (achievements) but with a focus on the quality of the achievement rather than its conspicuousness.
Use 卓著 when emphasizing that results, merits, or reputation are conspicuously outstanding. It frequently appears after the noun in fixed expressions (e.g. 成效卓著, 声誉卓著). It also works as a predicate adjective (e.g. 成绩卓著) and can modify 功勋 (merits) or 功绩 (achievements).
卓著 is less common as a pre-modifier; when used before a noun it often requires a 的 (e.g. 卓著的成绩) but this is less idiomatic than the post-noun structure.
At a glance
| 卓越 | 卓著 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical noun type | Qualities, talents, contributions (e.g. 才能, 贡献, 智慧) | Results, reputation, merits (e.g. 成效, 声誉, 功绩) |
| Position relative to noun | Usually precedes the noun (卓越的+noun) | Often follows the noun (noun+卓著) or used as a predicate |
| Focus | Inherent or cultivated excellence | Conspicuous, measurable success |
| Common collocations | 卓越的贡献, 卓越的才能, 卓越的成就 | 成效卓著, 声誉卓著, 战功卓著 |
Examples
- 卓越他是一位卓越的科学家。Tā shì yī wèi zhuóyuè de kēxuéjiā.He is an outstanding scientist.Describes the quality of the scientist.
- 卓越她的卓越才能赢得了大家的赞赏。Tā de zhuóyuè cáinéng yíngdé le dàjiā de zànshǎng.Her outstanding talent won everyone's praise.Talent is an inherent quality, hence 卓越.
- 卓著这项改革成效卓著。Zhè xiàng gǎigé chéngxiào zhuózhù.This reform has achieved remarkable results.成效 (results) is modified by 卓著 after the noun.
- 卓著他在战争中功勋卓著。Tā zài zhànzhēng zhōng gōngxūn zhuózhù.He achieved illustrious military merits in the war.功勋 (merits) pairs with 卓著.
- 卓越我们应为卓越的成就而努力。Wǒmen yīng wèi zhuóyuè de chéngjiù ér nǔlì.We should strive for outstanding achievements.成就 can take either, but 卓越 emphasizes quality; 卓著 would emphasize conspicuousness.
Common mistakes
- Using 卓著 for inherent qualities: ✗ 卓著的才能 (should be 卓越的才能).
- Using 卓越 for results that are conspicuously obvious: ✗ 成效卓越 (should be 成效卓著).
- Putting 卓著 before the noun without 的: ✗ 卓著功勋 (correct: 功勋卓著).
- Confusing 卓越 with 卓著 in set phrases: ✗ 声誉卓越 (should be 声誉卓著).
FAQ
- When do I use 卓越 vs 卓著?
- Use 卓越 for inherent or cultivated qualities like talent, wisdom, contribution (e.g. 卓越的才能). Use 卓著 for results or reputation that are conspicuously remarkable (e.g. 成效卓著). Remember: 卓越 precedes the noun, 卓著 often follows it.
- Can 成就 (achievements) be used with both 卓越 and 卓著?
- Yes, but the nuance differs. 卓越的成就 emphasizes the quality and brilliance of the achievement; 成绩卓著 (or 成就卓著) emphasizes that the achievement is conspicuously outstanding and widely recognized. However, 卓著 is more common with 成绩 than 成就.
- Is 卓著 used before the noun as often as after?
- No, 卓著 is typically placed after the noun (e.g. 功勋卓著) or used as a predicate (e.g. 成绩卓著). Pre-noun usage is possible but less idiomatic; for example, 卓著的成绩 is correct but less natural than 成绩卓著.