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射 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
射shèold variant of 射[shè]HSK 6, v, 10 strokes, radical 寸, rank #1157, Hard
射shèto shoot, to eject, to emitHSK 6, v, 10 strokes, radical 寸, rank #1157, Hard
射shèold variant of 射[she4]HSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 寸, rank #1157, Hard, transitive
射shèto launchHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 寸, rank #1157, Hard
射shèto allude toHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 寸, rank #1157, Hard
射shèradio- (chemistry)HSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 寸, rank #1157, Hard
shè(she4) T4
  1. 1old variant of 射[shè]
  2. 2to shoot, to eject, to emit
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

射(䠶)shè(she4)

The character 射 (shè) primarily means 'to shoot' or 'to emit.' It is commonly used in contexts involving projectiles, such as arrows or bullets, and can also refer to emitting light or sound. Additionally, it has applications in chemistry, particularly in terms like 'radioactive emissions.'

Strokes10Radical寸Frequency#1157DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

射 has historical significance in Chinese archery, a traditional skill celebrated in festivals and martial arts. Archery was not only a sport but also a military skill in ancient China, which reflects the importance of precision and training.

Memory Tip

Think of 射 (shè) as a person shooting an arrow. The top part resembles a bow (弓) while the lower part can be imagined as the arrow being released. Visualize the action of shooting to remember the pronunciation.

Meanings of 射

shè(she4)
1to shoot, to eject, to emit
2to launch
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 射

射Simplified
䠶Traditional
10Strokes
寸Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1157Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 射

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Podcast: 射

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AI Study Notes for 射

Quick Contrast

射 (shè) vs 发 (fā) — use 射 when referring specifically to shooting or projecting something like a bullet or arrow, while 发 is more general for emitting or sending out, such as light or sound.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 射 (shè) as a person shooting an arrow. The top part resembles a bow (弓) while the lower part can be imagined as the arrow being released. Visualize the action of shooting to remember the pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 射 with similar-looking characters. It is typically used in more formal contexts when discussing shooting sports or scientific terminology. Common collocations include 射箭 (shèjiàn - to shoot arrows) and 射击 (shèjī - to shoot, as in firearms).

HSK Study Tips

While 射 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other verbs about movement and action, such as 打 (dǎ - to hit) and 投 (tóu - to throw). Focus on its usage in context to differentiate it from similar verbs.

Cultural Note

射 has historical significance in Chinese archery, a traditional skill celebrated in festivals and martial arts. Archery was not only a sport but also a military skill in ancient China, which reflects the importance of precision and training.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 射 by confusing it with similar characters, like 设 (shè - to set up). For example, saying 射计划 (shè jìhuà - shoot a plan) instead of 设计划 (shè jìhuà - set up a plan) demonstrates this common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 射

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Etymology of 射

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Depicts a hand pulling back a bowstring with an arrow to shoot.

Memory Hint

A bow 身 being drawn by a hand 寸

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 射?

Decomposition of 射

IDS Structure⿰身寸
射Full Character
=
身shen1
left
寸cun4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 射?

Write 射

射

Practice writing 射 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 射

射 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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

需要保护你的手臂和双腿免受玻璃反____光线的照射。

Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass.

Common Confusions with 射

射vs社
shè

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

射vs设
shè

Similar pronunciation and shape, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to shoot, to eject, to emit"?

or

Example Sentences for 射 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
需要保护你的手臂和双腿免受玻璃反射光线的照射。

xū yào bǎo hù nǐ de shǒu bì hé shuāng tuǐ miǎn shòu bō lí fǎn shè guāng xiàn de zhào shè。

Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass.
2
他用微型声波发射器开启了门。

tā yòng wēi xíng shēng bō fā shè qì kāi qǐ le mén。

He activated the door with the miniature sonic transmitter.
3
静脉注射了镇静剂后病人安然入睡。

jìng mài zhù shè le zhèn jìng jì hòu bìng rén ān rán rù shuì。

The patient is sedated with intravenous use of sedative drugs.
4
子弹砰地射进了天花板，掉落的石膏碎片落了他们一身。

zǐ dàn pēng dì shè jìn le tiān huā bǎn， ， diào luò de shí gāo suì piàn luò le tā mén yī。

The bullet slammed into the ceiling, spraying them with bits of plaster.
5
一束耀眼的阳光从门口照射进来。

yī shù yào yǎn de yáng guāng cóng mén kǒu zhào shè jìn lái。

A brilliant shaft of sunlight burst through the doorway.
6
射击场被一排排深红色的灯光设备从下面照亮了.

shè jī cháng bèi yī pái pái shēn hóng sè de dēng guāng shè bèi cóng xià miàn zhào liàng le.

The shooting-range is lit from underneath by rows of ruby-red light fittings.
7
球砸中他的脑袋，从而让他化解了一次射门。

qiú zá zhōng tā de nǎo dài， ， cóng ér ràng tā huà jiě le yī cì shè。

He saved one shot when the ball hit him on the head.
8
持枪歹徒朝天扫射了一排子弹。

chí qiāng dǎi tú zhāo tiān sǎo shè le yī pái zǐ dàn。

A gunman fired off a volley of shots into the air.
9
他一脚漂亮的凌空抽射，把球踢进了球门的远角。

tā yī jiǎo piāo liàng de líng kōng chōu shè， ， bǎ qiú tī jìn le qiú mén de yuǎn。

He volleyed the ball spectacularly into the far corner of the net.
10
3个人被从一辆面包车中发射的乱弹打死了。

3 3 gè rén bèi cóng yī liàng miàn bāo chē zhōng fā shè de luàn dàn dǎ sǐ。

Three people were killed by shots fired at random from a minibus.

Cultural Notes for 射

🏮Cultural insight

射 has historical significance in Chinese archery, a traditional skill celebrated in festivals and martial arts. Archery was not only a sport but also a military skill in ancient China, which reflects the importance of precision and training.

Word Family of 射

Compounds5
谢Xie4surname Xie
麝she4musk deer
榭xie4pavilion, kiosk
塮
謝xie4to thank; to refuse politely
Words Containing This Character20
射shèto shoot
发射fāshèto launch發射
注射zhùshèinjection
射手archer
射击shèjīto shoot射擊
辐射fúshèradiation輻射
射门(soccer, handball etc) to kick or shoot the ball towards the goal射門
放射fàngshèto radiate
反射fǎnshèto reflect
照射to shine on
放射性radioactive
射线ray射線
射程range
喷射to spurt噴射
发射器radio transmitter發射器
折射zhéshèto refract
射出emission
注射器syringe
扫射to strafe掃射
投射tóushèto cast (light)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 谢 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 射

射 (shè) primarily means 'to shoot' or 'to emit,' while 发 (fā) generally means 'to send out' or 'to issue.' The context of usage often distinguishes them; for example, 射 is used in physical contexts like shooting arrows, whereas 发 may be used for sending messages or making sounds.