Meanings of 尸
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About 尸
Podcast: 尸
Podcast: 尸
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AI Study Notes for 尸
尸 (corpse) vs 骨 (bone) — use 尸 when referring specifically to a whole dead body, while 骨 refers to the skeletal remains.
Imagine a ghostly figure rising from the ground, resembling a body (尸) lying flat. The character's shape evokes the image of a corpse lying down, and the pronunciation 'shī' can be remembered by associating it with 'she,' as in 'she is not alive anymore.'
Be mindful that 尸 is not used in everyday conversation but rather in more formal or specific contexts related to death. It is often seen in literary or historical texts. Avoid confusing it with similar characters like 屍 (shī), which has the same meaning but is less common.
While 尸 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of life and death, which are relevant in cultural studies. Focus on recognizing its use in literature or historical contexts, particularly when discussing funerary practices.
In Chinese culture, the treatment of the dead is taken very seriously, with rituals often involving the display of the body during funerals. The character 尸 is a reminder of these practices and the respect given to the deceased.
Learners often confuse 尸 with 屍 or use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我看到尸在街上' (I saw a corpse in the street) should be corrected to '我看到尸体在街上' (I saw a body in the street) for clarity.
Pronunciation of 尸
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Etymology of 尸
Pictograph of a bent-over human.
A man keeled over
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 尸?
Decomposition of 尸
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 尸?
Write 尸
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Practice writing 尸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 尸
尸 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 4 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.
Complete the Sentence
一具无法辨认的男性____体被发现了。
The unrecognizable remains of a man had been found.
Example Sentences for 尸 (10)
Cultural Notes for 尸
In Chinese culture, the treatment of the dead is taken very seriously, with rituals often involving the display of the body during funerals. The character 尸 is a reminder of these practices and the respect given to the deceased.
Word Family of 尸
Compound Meaning
What does 尼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 尸
No, 尸 is primarily used in formal contexts related to death and is not common in casual conversation.