Meanings of 恃
By ear
Play it, then pick what 恃 means.
About 恃
Podcast: 恃
Podcast: 恃
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 恃
Learners often confuse 恃 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 视 (shì, to see). It's important to use 恃 in contexts involving trust or reliance, and be cautious with the tone as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include 恃才傲物 (shì cái ào wù), meaning to rely on one's talent and look down on others.
While 恃 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it can be related to other verbs expressing reliance or trust. Students should focus on the context in which it is used and practice distinguishing it from similar characters in pronunciation and meaning.
Learners often misinterpret 恃 as merely meaning 'mother,' overlooking its broader implications of reliance and presumption. For example, saying '她是我妈妈,恃' instead of '她是我妈妈' is incorrect; the sentence should not include 恃 in this context.
Pronunciation of 恃
Drill the tone of 恃, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 恃 to you
Let me explain 恃 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 恃 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 恃?
Learning Lab
Knowing 恃 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 恃
Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 寺 represents the sound.
heart
Origin
恃 = 忄 + 寺. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 恃
Parts
Which of these is part of 恃?
How to say to trust, to rely on; to presume in Chinese
“to trust, to rely on; to presume” in Chinese is恃
The character 恃 (shì) means to trust or rely on someone or something. It often carries a nuance of presumption or over-reliance, suggesting a sense of dependence that may not be warranted. This term can also refer formally to 'mother' in certain contexts, highlighting its layered meanings in different usages.
When to use 恃
Learners often confuse 恃 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 视 (shì, to see). It's important to use 恃 in contexts involving trust or reliance, and be cautious with the tone as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include 恃才傲物 (shì cái ào wù), meaning to rely on one's talent and look down on others.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misinterpret 恃 as merely meaning 'mother,' overlooking its broader implications of reliance and presumption. For example, saying '她是我妈妈,恃' instead of '她是我妈妈' is incorrect; the sentence should not include 恃 in this context.
Write 恃
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 恃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 恃
恃 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他和他爸爸一样都是个____强凌弱的莽夫。
He is a hothead and a bully just like his dad.
Example sentences for 恃 (2)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 恃?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 恃
Words with 恃
What does 恃强凌弱 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 恃
Common phrases include 恃才傲物, which describes someone who relies too much on their abilities.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 恃?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.