…之类（的） …zhīlèi (de)

…之类（的）（…zhīlèi (de)）means “'and the like / things of that kind' — X 之类（的）”. 之类 follows one or more nouns to sum them up as 'this kind of thing / and the like', signaling other similar items exist. Formation: 名词（、名词…）+ 之类（的）+ (名词)（…这一类）

'and the like / things of that kind' — X 之类（的）

HSK5

Formation

名词（、名词…）+ 之类（的）+ (名词)（…这一类）

Explanation

之类 follows one or more nouns to sum them up as 'this kind of thing / and the like', signaling other similar items exist. Add 的 before a following head noun (蔬菜之类的东西 'vegetables and the like'), or end with 之类的 standing alone. Slightly more formal and neutral than colloquial 什么的, and it can appear in writing.

Examples

桌上放着笔、本子 之类的 文具。
zhuō shàng fàngzhe bǐ, běnzi zhīlèi de wénjù.
On the desk lay stationery such as pens, notebooks and the like.
他从不吃辣椒 之类 的东西。
tā cóng bù chī làjiāo zhīlèi de dōngxi.
He never eats things like chili peppers.

Note

More neutral than 什么的 and usable in writing. 之 here is read zhī (first tone), not neutral tone; read zhīlèi.

FAQ

…之类（的） — what does it mean and how is it used?

'and the like / things of that kind' — X 之类（的）. 之类 follows one or more nouns to sum them up as 'this kind of thing / and the like', signaling other similar items exist. Add 的 before a following head noun (蔬菜之类的东西 'vegetables and the like'), or end with 之类的 standing alone. Slightly more formal and neutral than colloquial 什么的, and it can appear in writing.

…之类（的） — how do you form it?

名词（、名词…）+ 之类（的）+ (名词)（…这一类）

…之类（的） — any usage notes?

More neutral than 什么的 and usable in writing. 之 here is read zhī (first tone), not neutral tone; read zhīlèi.

Related grammar

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