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兕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
a female rhinocerosg, 7 strokes, radical 儿, rank #82570, Very Hard
(meaning uncertain); rhinoceros (possibly female) or bullunknown, 7 strokes, radical 儿, rank #82570, Very Hard
(si4) T4
  1. 1a female rhinoceros
  2. 2(meaning uncertain); rhinoceros (possibly female) or bull
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March 24, 2026
(si4)

The character 兕 (sì) refers to a female rhinoceros, although its exact meaning is somewhat uncertain. It is a less common term that may also encompass the general idea of a rhinoceros, often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke imagery related to strength and nature.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#82570DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, rhinoceroses are often associated with strength and endurance, and their depiction can be found in ancient texts and artworks, symbolizing power and protection.

Memory Tip

Think of 兕 as a 'sassy' rhinoceros, which can remind you of its pronunciation 'sì.' The character includes the radical for 'animal' (犭), which emphasizes its meaning related to wildlife, and the phonetic component gives a hint to how to pronounce it.

Meanings of 兕

(si4)
1a female rhinoceros
2(meaning uncertain); rhinoceros (possibly female) or bull
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 兕

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 兕

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AI Study Notes for 兕

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 兕 as a 'sassy' rhinoceros, which can remind you of its pronunciation 'sì.' The character includes the radical for 'animal' (犭), which emphasizes its meaning related to wildlife, and the phonetic component gives a hint to how to pronounce it.

Usage Notes

This term is quite formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about its context, as it may appear in literature rather than in casual dialogue. Additionally, be aware of the tone since 'sì' is pronounced with a falling tone (fourth tone).

HSK Study Tips

As 兕 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it’s beneficial for learners to focus on its components and similarities with other animal-related terms. Understanding this character may enhance vocabulary related to fauna in literary texts, especially for those at higher levels.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, rhinoceroses are often associated with strength and endurance, and their depiction can be found in ancient texts and artworks, symbolizing power and protection.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 兕 with other animal-related characters, such as 犀 (xī) for rhinoceros. A common mistake is using it interchangeably with the more general term for rhinoceros, which is incorrect since 兕 specifically refers to a female.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 兕

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Etymology of 兕

Decomposition of 兕

IDS Structure⿱凹儿
Full Character
=
ao1
top
er2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 兕?

Write 兕

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 兕

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, rhinoceroses are often associated with strength and endurance, and their depiction can be found in ancient texts and artworks, symbolizing power and protection.

Word Family of 兕

Words Containing This Character1
(meaning uncertain); rhinoceros (possibly female) or bull
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 兕 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 兕

No, 兕 is not commonly used in everyday conversation and is more likely to be found in literary contexts.