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March 24, 2026
氏shì(shi4)
The character 氏 (shì) refers to a clan name or a maiden name in Chinese culture. It is often used to denote one's family lineage and is a formal way to address a person's surname, especially in historical contexts related to nobility and aristocracy.
Strokes4Radical氏Frequency#5886DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the character 氏 was crucial for identifying nobility and their lineage. For example, it appears in historical texts to denote significant family names that played pivotal roles in Chinese history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a family tree with branches showing different clans. The character 氏 resembles a tree with roots, symbolizing family lineage. The pronunciation 'shì' can be remembered by thinking of a 'ship' sailing under the family name's flag.
Meanings of 氏
shì(shi4)
primary
1clan name
2maiden name
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 氏
氏Simplified
4Strokes
氏Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#5886Frequency Rank
Podcast: 氏
Podcast: 氏
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AI Study Notes for 氏
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a family tree with branches showing different clans. The character 氏 resembles a tree with roots, symbolizing family lineage. The pronunciation 'shì' can be remembered by thinking of a 'ship' sailing under the family name's flag.
Usage Notes
氏 is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in historical or genealogical discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with the more casual term 姓 (xìng), which simply means 'surname.' Always remember to use 氏 when referring to lineage or clan names.
HSK Study Tips
While 氏 is not a part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of Chinese history and culture. It connects to other words related to family and lineage, such as 姓 (surname) and 家 (family). Focus on recognizing its use in texts about genealogy.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the character 氏 was crucial for identifying nobility and their lineage. For example, it appears in historical texts to denote significant family names that played pivotal roles in Chinese history.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 氏 with 姓 (xìng) and use it interchangeably in casual conversation. For example, saying '我姓氏张' (Wǒ xìng shì Zhāng) is incorrect; it should be '我姓张' (Wǒ xìng Zhāng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 氏
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Grammar Patterns of 氏
氏 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这颗恒星的表面温度估计在零下75摄____度左右。
The star's surface temperature is reckoned to be minus 75 degrees Celsius.
By mid-morning, the temperature was already above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
5
水的沸点是373开氏度。
shuǐ de fèi diǎn shì373 373 kāi shì。
The boiling point of water is 373 K.
6
罗马昨天气温接近（华氏）三位数。
luó mǎ zuó tiān qì wēn jiē jìn（ （ huá） shì ） sān。
The thermometer nudged three figures yesterday in Rome.
7
室内温度为十八摄氏度.
shì nèi wēn dù wéi shí bā shè shì dù.
The room had a temperature of 18℃.
8
温度计的水银柱表明在阴处温度为摄氏37度.
wēn dù jì de shuǐ yín zhù biǎo míng zài yīn chǔ wēn dù wéi shè shì37 37.
The mercury indicated 37℃ in the shade.
9
在阴处气温是摄氏30度.
zài yīn chǔ qì wēn shì shè shì30 30.
The temperature is 30℃ in the shade of a tree.
10
水在零摄氏度时变成冰.
shuǐ zài líng shè shì dù shí biàn chéng bīng.
Water turns to ice at 0℃.
Cultural Notes for 氏
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, the character 氏 was crucial for identifying nobility and their lineage. For example, it appears in historical texts to denote significant family names that played pivotal roles in Chinese history.
Word Family of 氏
Compounds25
旅lü3trip
纸zhi3variant of 紙
昏hun1muddle-headed
畏wei4to fear
舐shi4to lick, to lap up
祇qi2only, just, simply; one of a pair; an earth god
袁Yuan2robe; surname
氐Di1the name of an ancient tribe
疧
眂
芪qi2celery
蚔
衹zhi3only, merely, just
軝
坁
帋
忯
扺
氒
汦
秖
紙zhi3paper
覛
觗
赿
Words Containing This Character16
氏shìclan name
摄氏度shèshìdù°C (degrees Celsius)攝氏度
姓氏xìngshìfamily name
华氏Fahrenheit華氏
无名氏anonymous (e.g. author, donor etc)無名氏
摄氏Celsius攝氏
氏族clan
里氏Richter (scale)
李氏the Korean Yi or Lee Dynasty (1392-1910)
沙门氏菌Salmonella沙門氏菌
巴氏Pasteur
罗氏Roche羅氏
金氏Guinness (name) (Tw)
人氏native
卢氏Lushi county in Sanmenxia 三門峽|三门峡[Sānménxiá], Henan盧氏
欧氏Euclid歐氏
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 旅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 氏
You can use 氏 to refer to someone's maiden name, such as in the phrase '张氏' (Zhāng shì) meaning 'the Zhang clan'.
It is primarily used in formal writing or historical contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
姓 (xìng) is used for surnames in everyday contexts, while 氏 (shì) is more formal and denotes clan or lineage.
