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March 24, 2026
失shī(shi1)
The character 失 (shī) means 'to lose' or 'to miss,' and is often used in contexts involving loss, failure, or mistakes. It can refer to physical loss, such as losing an item, or more abstract loss, like missing an opportunity or failing to achieve something. It is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal writing.
Strokes5Radical大Frequency#2967DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The concept of loss is significant in Chinese culture, often reflecting on the importance of relationships and family ties. Losing face, or 失面子 (shī miànzi), is a common concern in social interactions, highlighting the value placed on reputation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person holding a precious item (the character's shape can resemble a person holding something). As they turn around, they accidentally let it slip from their hands, symbolizing the loss. The pronunciation 'shī' sounds like the English 'she,' which can remind you of 'she lost it.'
Meanings of 失
shī(shi1)
1to lose
2to miss
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 失
失Simplified
5Strokes
大Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2967Frequency Rank
Podcast: 失
Podcast: 失
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AI Study Notes for 失
Quick Contrast
错 (cuò, wrong) - use 失 (shī) when emphasizing loss or failure, while 错 (cuò) focuses on incorrectness or mistakes.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 失 with similar-sounding words or characters like 识 (shí), which means 'to know.' It is typically used in both informal and formal settings. Common collocations include 失去 (shīqù - to lose), 失误 (shīwù - to make a mistake), and 失望 (shīwàng - to be disappointed).
HSK Study Tips
While 失 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other HSK words related to feelings of loss or failure, like 失败 (shībài - to fail). Focus on understanding how to use it in various contexts to express different types of loss.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 失 in contexts where it should not apply, such as saying '我失了工作' (wǒ shīle gōngzuò) instead of '我失去了工作' (wǒ shīqùle gōngzuò) to mean 'I lost my job.' Ensure to use the correct collocation to convey the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 失
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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 失? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 失?
Decomposition of 失
IDS Structure⿻丿夫
失Full Character
=
丿pie3
outer
夫fu1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 失?
How to say to lose in Chinese
“to lose” in Chinese is失shī
The character 失 (shī) means 'to lose' or 'to miss,' and is often used in contexts involving loss, failure, or mistakes. It can refer to physical loss, such as losing an item, or more abstract loss, like missing an opportunity or failing to achieve something. It is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal writing.
When to use 失
Learners often confuse 失 with similar-sounding words or characters like 识 (shí), which means 'to know.' It is typically used in both informal and formal settings. Common collocations include 失去 (shīqù - to lose), 失误 (shīwù - to make a mistake), and 失望 (shīwàng - to be disappointed).
失 or something close to it
错 (cuò, wrong) - use 失 (shī) when emphasizing loss or failure, while 错 (cuò) focuses on incorrectness or mistakes.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 失 in contexts where it should not apply, such as saying '我失了工作' (wǒ shīle gōngzuò) instead of '我失去了工作' (wǒ shīqùle gōngzuò) to mean 'I lost my job.' Ensure to use the correct collocation to convey the intended meaning.
Write 失
失
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Grammar Patterns of 失
失 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
The armed forces have launched offensives to recapture lost ground.
Cultural Notes for 失
💡Did you know?
The character 失 (shī) is often used in phrases like 失去 (to lose) and 失败 (to fail), highlighting its importance in expressing loss and mistakes in Chinese culture.
Some common phrases that include 失 (shī) are 失去 (shīqù, to lose), 失误 (shīwù, to make a mistake), and 失望 (shīwàng, to lose hope/disappointment). These phrases are useful for expressing different situations regarding loss or failure in Chinese.
Yes, 失 (shī) is a commonly used character in the Chinese language. It appears in various contexts and is essential for expressing concepts related to loss, failure, and absence. Learning this character can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
失 (shī) means 'to lose', 'to miss', or 'to fail'. It is used in various contexts, such as losing an object, missing an opportunity, or failing at a task. This character is often seen in phrases like 失去 (shīqù), which means 'to lose'.
You can use 失 (shī) in sentences to convey loss or failure. For example, you could say '我失去了我的钱包' (Wǒ shīqùle wǒ de qiánbāo), which means 'I lost my wallet.' Another example is '他失去了比赛' (Tā shīqùle bǐsài), meaning 'He lost the game.'
失 (shī) emphasizes a sense of loss or failure, while 丢 (diū) focuses more on the act of misplacing or dropping something.
Generally, 失 carries a negative connotation, associated with loss or mistakes, and is not used in positive contexts.
You can say '我失去了我的手机' (wǒ shīqùle wǒ de shǒujī) meaning 'I lost my phone.'
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