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殳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
殳shūsurname Shuunknown, 4 strokes, radical 殳
殳shūtool, weaponnr, 4 strokes, radical 殳
shū(Shu1)shu T1
  1. 1surname Shu
  2. 2tool, weapon
Also a Chinese surname, Shu — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

殳shū(Shu1)

The character 殳 (shū) refers to a tool or weapon, often associated with instruments used in combat or work. It is also used as a surname in Chinese culture. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation and is mainly found in literary or historical contexts.

Strokes4Radical殳
Cultural note

The character 殳 connects to ancient Chinese warfare and tools, reflecting the importance of weapons and defense in historical Chinese society. It signifies the martial culture that has influenced many aspects of Chinese history.

Memory tip

Imagine a warrior holding a spear (the shape of 殳 resembles a spear) ready to protect his village. The character's form can help you remember 'shū' as it sounds similar to 'spear' in English, linking the image of the weapon to its pronunciation.

Meanings of 殳

shū(Shu1)
1tool, weapon
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 殳 means.

About 殳

殳Simplified
4Strokes
殳Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 殳

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Podcast: 殳

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AI study notes for 殳

Usage Notes

While 殳 is not frequently used in modern language, it can appear in historical texts or when discussing weapons. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters; context is key. Note that as a surname, it is used formally and may not be familiar to all speakers.

HSK Study Tips

Although 殳 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary related to tools and weapons. Focus on its use in compound words or historical references to grasp its broader implications.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 殳 with other similar characters like 杀 (shā, to kill), which can lead to misunderstandings. Always remember that 殳 specifically denotes a tool or weapon, while 杀 refers to the action of killing.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 殳

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Etymology of 殳

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a hand holding a spear.

Memory hint

A hand 又 holding a weapon 几

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 殳?

Decomposition of 殳

IDS Structure⿱几又
殳Full character
=
几ji1
top
又you4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 殳?

How to say surname Shu in Chinese

“surname Shu” in Chinese is殳shū

The character 殳 (shū) refers to a tool or weapon, often associated with instruments used in combat or work. It is also used as a surname in Chinese culture. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation and is mainly found in literary or historical contexts.

When to use 殳

While 殳 is not frequently used in modern language, it can appear in historical texts or when discussing weapons. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters; context is key. Note that as a surname, it is used formally and may not be familiar to all speakers.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 殳 with other similar characters like 杀 (shā, to kill), which can lead to misunderstandings. Always remember that 殳 specifically denotes a tool or weapon, while 杀 refers to the action of killing.

Write 殳

殳

Practice writing 殳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 殳

Words containing this character1
殳shūbamboo or wooden spear

Frequently asked questions about 殳

In modern Chinese, 殳 primarily refers to a weapon or tool and is rarely used in daily conversation.

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