Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
嗜shì(shi4)
The character 嗜 (shì) refers to a strong fondness or addiction to something. It is commonly used in contexts where a person has a particular taste or preference, such as for food or activities, and implies a certain level of enthusiasm or obsession. This term often appears in discussions about hobbies, habits, or even vices.
Strokes13Radical口Frequency#8033DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of addiction or strong preference is often reflected in the appreciation of certain foods, tea, and even traditional practices, highlighting the depth of enjoyment in everyday life. For example, tea culture in China emphasizes a fondness for various types of tea, which can be expressed using 嗜.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named 'Shi' who cannot stop eating sweets. The character 嗜 has a mouth radical (口) which connects to the act of eating, emphasizing the fondness or addiction associated with it. Visualize Shi surrounded by candy, unable to resist his favorite treat.
Meanings of 嗜
shì(shi4)
1addicted to, fond of, with a weakness for
2stem corresponding to -phil or -phile
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 嗜
嗜Simplified
13Strokes
口Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嗜
Podcast: 嗜
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 嗜
Quick Contrast
嗜 (shì) vs 喜 (xǐ) — use 嗜 for a stronger or more obsessive fondness than 喜, which indicates general liking.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named 'Shi' who cannot stop eating sweets. The character 嗜 has a mouth radical (口) which connects to the act of eating, emphasizing the fondness or addiction associated with it. Visualize Shi surrounded by candy, unable to resist his favorite treat.
Usage Notes
It's important to use 嗜 in contexts that imply a strong preference or addiction, as using it too casually may sound overly dramatic. Common collocations include 嗜好 (shìhào) meaning 'hobby' or 'preference'. Be cautious with the tone; it is pronounced with a falling tone (shì).
HSK Study Tips
While 嗜 is not in the official HSK levels, it connects well with other words expressing preferences or habits, such as 爱 (ài, love) or 喜欢 (xǐhuān, like). Students should focus on understanding its connotation of addiction or strong fondness, as this nuance sets it apart from similar terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of addiction or strong preference is often reflected in the appreciation of certain foods, tea, and even traditional practices, highlighting the depth of enjoyment in everyday life. For example, tea culture in China emphasizes a fondness for various types of tea, which can be expressed using 嗜.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嗜 with 喜欢 (xǐhuān), using it when they mean to say they like something. For instance, saying 我嗜这个 (Wǒ shì zhège) to mean 'I like this' is incorrect; it should be 我喜欢这个 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嗜
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 嗜 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 嗜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 嗜
嗜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
在1985年，他开始表现出酗酒____毒的迹象。
In 1985, he began to show signs of alcohol and drug dependency.
And getting custody will be easy because of Rachel's drinking problem.
4
这夫妇俩都有烹饪美食的嗜好。
zhè fū fù liǎng dū yǒu pēng rèn měi shí de shì hǎo。
The couple share a love of gourmet cooking.
5
喝脱去咖啡因的咖啡是慢慢养成的嗜好.
hē tuō qù kā fēi yīn de kā fēi shì màn màn yǎng chéng de shì hǎo.
Decaffeinated coffee is an acquired taste.
6
多数嗜赌成瘾的赌徒都常赌输.
duō shù shì dǔ chéng yǐn de dǔ tú dū cháng dǔ shū.
Most compulsive gamblers are not successful.
Cultural Notes for 嗜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of addiction or strong preference is often reflected in the appreciation of certain foods, tea, and even traditional practices, highlighting the depth of enjoyment in everyday life. For example, tea culture in China emphasizes a fondness for various types of tea, which can be expressed using 嗜.
Word Family of 嗜
Words Containing This Character7
嗜shìfond of
嗜好shìhàohobby
嗜血bloodthirsty
嗜酒如命to love wine as one's life (idiom); fond of the bottle
嗜欲lust嗜慾
嗜杀成性bloodthirsty嗜殺成性
嗜痂成癖to have strange and dangerous addictions (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 嗜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嗜
Not quite; 嗜 implies a stronger sense of addiction or fondness than just liking. Use 喜欢 (xǐhuān) for general preferences.
It can be used in both, but be mindful of its connotation; it may sound overly intense in casual conversation.
You can say 我嗜好音乐 (Wǒ shìhào yīnyuè), meaning 'I have a fondness for music'.
