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奢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
奢
shē
extravagant
n, 11 strokes, radical 大, rank #19045, Very Hard
奢
shē
exaggerated; extravagant, wasteful
n, 11 strokes, radical 大, rank #19045, Very Hard
shē(she1)she T1
1extravagant
2exaggerated; extravagant, wasteful
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
奢shē(she1)
The character 奢 (shē) refers to a sense of extravagance and luxury, often implying wastefulness. It is commonly used in contexts discussing lifestyle, spending, or consumption that goes beyond what is necessary or reasonable, reflecting a cultural critique of excessive indulgence.
Strokes11Radical大Frequency#19045DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on frugality and moderation, particularly in contrast to the extravagant lifestyles often portrayed in media. The character 奢 can be used in discussions about consumerism and moral values.
Memory tip
Imagine a lavish banquet where everything is excessively adorned, symbolizing extravagance. The character 奢 looks like a fancy setting with an 'extra' touch, helping you remember it stands for luxury ('shē' sounds like 'she' who loves lavish things).
Meanings of 奢
shē(she1)
1extravagant
2exaggerated; extravagant, wasteful
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 奢 means.
About 奢
奢Simplified
11Strokes
大Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#19045Frequency Rank
Podcast: 奢
Podcast: 奢
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AI study notes for 奢
Quick Contrast
奢 (extravagance) vs 华 (splendor) — choose 奢 when emphasizing wastefulness over mere beauty.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 奢 with similar-sounding words that imply moderation or simplicity. It's generally used in formal contexts when discussing wealth or lifestyle, such as 奢侈 (shēchǐ) for 'luxurious' or 'extravagant'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 奢 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with HSK Level 4 words like 富裕 (fùyù, wealthy) and 奢侈 (shēchǐ, luxurious). Focus on understanding its usage in contrast to simpler terms that denote modesty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 奢 with 省 (shěng), which means to save. For example, saying 奢省 (shēshěng) instead of using them in their correct contexts can lead to misunderstandings. Remember, 奢 emphasizes extravagance, while 省 emphasizes thriftiness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 奢
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How well do you know 奢?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 奢 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
奢 = 大 + 者. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 奢
IDS Structure⿱大者
奢Full character
=
大da4
top
者zhe3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 奢?
How to say extravagant in Chinese
“extravagant” in Chinese is奢shē
The character 奢 (shē) refers to a sense of extravagance and luxury, often implying wastefulness. It is commonly used in contexts discussing lifestyle, spending, or consumption that goes beyond what is necessary or reasonable, reflecting a cultural critique of excessive indulgence.
When to use 奢
Be careful not to confuse 奢 with similar-sounding words that imply moderation or simplicity. It's generally used in formal contexts when discussing wealth or lifestyle, such as 奢侈 (shēchǐ) for 'luxurious' or 'extravagant'.
奢 or something close to it
奢 (extravagance) vs 华 (splendor) — choose 奢 when emphasizing wastefulness over mere beauty.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 奢 with 省 (shěng), which means to save. For example, saying 奢省 (shēshěng) instead of using them in their correct contexts can lead to misunderstandings. Remember, 奢 emphasizes extravagance, while 省 emphasizes thriftiness.
Write 奢
奢
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Practice writing 奢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 奢
奢 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他在18个月的____靡生活中挥霍了533,000英镑。
He blew £533,000 in an 18-month orgy of spending.
Example sentences for 奢 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他在18个月的奢靡生活中挥霍了533,000英镑。
tā zài18 gè yuè de shē mí shēnghuó zhōng huīhuò le533,000 yīngbàng。
He blew £533,000 in an 18-month orgy of spending.
2
我一直都知道这是个奢望。
wǒ yìzhí dōu zhīdào zhè shì gè shēwàng。
I always knew it was too much to hope for.
3
这种奢侈的滑石润肤露能使缺水的皮肤恢复柔软与弹性。
zhè zhǒng shēchǐ de huá dàn rùn fū lòu néng shǐ quē shuǐ de pífū huīfù róuruǎn yǔ tánxìng。
This luxurious talcum lotion restores softness and suppleness to dehydrated skin.
