# 仅次于: Meaning, Structure, and Examples | HSKReady Canonical: https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-7-9-fixed-patterns-g079 Language: en Content ID: web-grammar-hsk-7-9-g079 HSK levels: 7-9 Updated: 2026-10-23T04:57:33.779Z Scope: published website educational content; full vocabulary, question bank and mock exams remain in the app. Learn how 仅次于 ranks one person, thing, or result immediately below a stated comparison standard, with usage notes and examples. Grammar [HSK 7-9 · Fixed patterns](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-7-9#hsk-7-9-g079) # Using 仅次于 to Say “Second Only to” 仅次于 means “ranking behind only” the named comparison target. With one top-ranked target it commonly means “second only to”; a target listing several people or things can imply a lower ordinal. Name the comparison dimension and scope, and distinguish rank from the size of the gap. Ranked item 仅次于 Comparison standard Example sentence 在这次测验中，小林的分数仅次于小王。 Zài zhè cì cèyàn zhōng, Xiǎo Lín de fēnshù jǐn cì yú Xiǎo Wáng. In this test, Xiao Lin’s score was second only to Xiao Wang’s. An illustrative ranking limited to this test. One higher-scoring person is named, but no numerical gap is given. **Read the full explanation and examples** ## Meaning and force 仅次于 presents A as ranking behind only B within the relevant comparison group and dimension. B can name one item or a list: 在这次测验中，他的分数仅次于小林和小王 places him behind those two, not automatically second. The expression reports an ordering, not how close the scores are. A higher rank on a scale such as cost is not necessarily a desirable quality. The claim is limited by its comparison dimension and context. If a sentence says a team is second only to another in defensive statistics this season, it does not claim that the team is second in every respect or across all seasons. Make the dimension explicit when readers might otherwise take the ranking too broadly. ## Build the fixed frame Ranked item 仅次于 Comparison standard Use the ranked item before 仅次于 and the comparison standard after it. 仅次于 is fixed; do not split or reorder its words. The first slot can be a person, organization, place, result, quality, or other noun phrase that can be ranked. The second slot identifies what stands ahead of it on the relevant scale. A longer phrase may fill either slot, including a noun modified by a clause. The outline lists this fixed frame as a level 7–9 point; that designation sets this lesson’s scope and level only. A context phrase can establish the scale before the subject, as in “in defensive statistics this season.” It is especially helpful when the comparison is not obvious from the surrounding discussion. The phrase after 仅次于 should still identify the higher-ranked standard; it is not a second way to name the scale. ## Examples in context 在这次测验中，小林的分数仅次于小王。 Zài zhè cì cèyàn zhōng, Xiǎo Lín de fēnshù jǐn cì yú Xiǎo Wáng. In this test, Xiao Lin’s score was second only to Xiao Wang’s. An illustrative ranking limited to this test. One higher-scoring person is named, but no numerical gap is given. 这篇论文的引用量仅次于该领域最早发表的那项研究。 Zhè piān lùnwén de yǐnyòngliàng jǐn cì yú gāi lǐngyù zuì zǎo fābiǎo de nà xiàng yánjiū. This paper’s citation count is second only to that of the earliest study published in the field. Correct: the comparison concerns citation count, not the overall importance of the works. 在本赛季的防守数据上，这支队伍仅次于卫冕冠军。 Zài běn sàijì de fángshǒu shùjù shàng, zhè zhī duìwu jǐn cì yú wèimiǎn guànjūn. In this season’s defensive statistics, this team is second only to the defending champion. Correct: the opening phrase limits the ranking to defensive data for this season. 她的英语表达能力在团队里仅次于负责国际项目的同事。 Tā de Yīngyǔ biǎodá nénglì zài tuánduì lǐ jǐn cì yú fùzé guójì xiàngmù de tóngshì. Her English communication ability in the team is second only to that of the colleague responsible for international projects. Correct: the colleague is the comparison standard for this ability within the team. 就现场响应速度而言，这个维修组仅次于总部的应急小组。 Jiù xiànchǎng xiǎngyìng sùdù ér yán, zhège wéixiū zǔ jǐn cì yú zǒngbù de yìngjí xiǎozǔ. In terms of on-site response speed, this repair team is second only to the headquarters emergency team. Correct: the opening phrase identifies response speed as the comparison dimension. The comparison standard need not be a single short name: it may be described with a longer noun phrase, as in the research and colleague examples. Read each sentence by asking: what is ranked, on what scale, and which standard is ahead? ## When and how to use it Use 仅次于 when you want to report or emphasize a high but not highest position. It is suitable for factual summaries, analysis, reports, and ordinary conversation when the ranking or evaluation is understood. Its tone is relatively concise and often sounds report-like, but it is not restricted to formal writing. In careful writing, name the metric, time period, group, or other boundary if the claim depends on one. - Name the item being ranked before 仅次于. - Put the higher-ranked comparison standard after 仅次于. - Check that both refer to the same comparison dimension and relevant scope. - Add a context phrase when the scale or boundary could be unclear. - Do not treat “second” as a claim of an exact numerical gap; the expression gives relative order, not distance. ## A useful contrast The comparison target can be a single leader or an explicitly named group of leaders. Read it before assigning an exact ordinal. These teaching examples illustrate the construction rather than reporting verified league tables or citation statistics. The expression itself does not establish that any ranking is official or accurate. ## Frequently asked questions **Does 仅次于 mean the subject is the best?** No. It places the subject just below the stated comparison standard. The expression does not say how large the difference is. **Can I leave the comparison dimension unstated?** Yes, when it is already clear from the conversation or situation. Add it when readers could misunderstand what is being ranked. **Is this expression only for formal writing?** No. It is concise and often has a report-like tone, but it can also occur in ordinary conversation when the comparison is clear. **Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 405](https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf#page=405) ## Continue in the app Full mock exams are available in HSKReady. [![Download on the App Store](https://hskready.app/download-on-app-store-black.svg)Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6791916440?l=en)[![Get it on Google Play](https://hskready.app/get-it-on-google-play.svg)Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.curiolab.hskready&hl=en) [HSKReady App](https://hskready.app/en/app)