Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
硕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
硕
shuò
large
zg, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #24736, Very Hard
硕
shuò
big
zg, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #24736, Very Hard
硕
shuò
great, eminent; large, big
zg, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #24736, Very Hard
shuò(shuo4)shuo T4
1large
2big
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
硕(碩)shuò(shuo4)
The character 硕 (shuò) primarily means 'large' or 'great.' It is often used to describe something of significant size or importance, such as in academic contexts to refer to a master's degree (硕士, shuòshì). The character conveys a sense of prominence and excellence.
Strokes11Radical石Frequency#24736DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
The term 硕士 is a key component of the Chinese education system, representing a higher level of academic achievement that is highly regarded in Chinese society.
Memory tip
Imagine a giant stone (the radical 石 represents stone) that is not just big but also significant, like a monumental statue. The pronunciation 'shuò' can be remembered by associating it with the phrase 'show off,' as something large often attracts attention.
Meanings of 硕
shuò(shuo4)
1large
2big
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 硕 means.
About 硕
硕Simplified
碩Traditional
11Strokes
石Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#24736Frequency Rank
Podcast: 硕
Podcast: 硕
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 硕
Quick Contrast
硕 (large, great) vs 大 (big) — use 硕 for emphasis on significance or importance, while 大 is more general.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 硕 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It’s more formal and typically used in academic or literary contexts. Common collocations include 硕士 (master's degree) and 硕果 (large fruit).
HSK Study Tips
Although 硕 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK words related to education and size, like 大 (big) and 学 (study). Focus on understanding how it is used in compound words, particularly in academic settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 硕 with 大 (dà), both meaning 'big,' but 硕 emphasizes significance rather than just size. For example, saying '硕苹果' (shuò píngguǒ) instead of '大苹果' (dà píngguǒ) is incorrect, as it changes the nuance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 硕
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 硕, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 硕 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 硕?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 硕 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.
The character 硕 (shuò) primarily means 'large' or 'great.' It is often used to describe something of significant size or importance, such as in academic contexts to refer to a master's degree (硕士, shuòshì). The character conveys a sense of prominence and excellence.
When to use 硕
Be careful not to confuse 硕 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It’s more formal and typically used in academic or literary contexts. Common collocations include 硕士 (master's degree) and 硕果 (large fruit).
硕 or something close to it
硕 (large, great) vs 大 (big) — use 硕 for emphasis on significance or importance, while 大 is more general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 硕 with 大 (dà), both meaning 'big,' but 硕 emphasizes significance rather than just size. For example, saying '硕苹果' (shuò píngguǒ) instead of '大苹果' (dà píngguǒ) is incorrect, as it changes the nuance.
Write 硕
硕
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 硕 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 硕
硕 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她用薄薄的黑色织物裹住了自己____大的身躯。
She swathed her enormous body in thin black fabrics.
Common confusions with 硕
硕vs妥
tuǒ
Different meanings but similar structural appearance.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “large”?
or
Usage Notes for 硕
Misuse in ContextCommon Error
The character 硕 is often misused in contexts where 'big' is not the appropriate connotation. Ensure it matches the context of greatness or eminence.
1
这是一块硕大的石头。
This is a large stone.
Exercise 1 of 1
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这是一块____大的石头。
This is a large stone.
Example sentences for 硕 (6)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她用薄薄的黑色织物裹住了自己硕大的身躯。
tā yòng báo báo de hēisè zhī wù guǒ zhù le zìjǐ shuò dà de shēnqū。
She swathed her enormous body in thin black fabrics.
2
我拿文科硕士学位其实就是觉得好玩儿。
wǒ ná wénkē shuòshì xuéwèi qíshí jiùshì juéde hǎowánr。
I took my M. A. just for fun really.
3
拉弗蒂是1988年红极一时的爱尔兰队硕果仅存的球员。
lā fú dì shì1988 nián hóng jí yìshí de ài ěr lán duì shuòguǒ jǐn cún de qiúyuán。
Rafferty was the sole survivor from the successful Ireland team of
4
他健硕的身体使他显得意志尤为坚强。
tā jiàn shuò de shēntǐ shǐ tā xiǎnde yìzhì yóuwéi jiānqiáng。
His hard sinewy body advertised his ruthlessness of purpose.
5
我的目光恰好又落在她那块表盘硕大无朋 、 宛如计秒器的手表上.
wǒ de mùguāng qiàhǎo yòu là zài tā nà kuài biǎo pán shuò dà wú péng、 wǎn rú jì miǎo qì de shǒubiǎo shàng.
I happened to be looking at her enormous - faced, chronographic - looking wrist - watch again.
6
到2040年, 在现在雷司令的种植地,赤霞珠就会结满硕果了.
dào2040 nián, zài xiànzài léi sīlìng de zhòngzhí dì, chì xiá zhū jiù huì jié mǎn shuòguǒ le.
By 2040 , cabernet sauvignon will flourish where Riesling does now.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 硕?
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 硕
Words containing this character14
硕士shuòshìmaster's degree碩士
硕shuòlarge碩
硕大shuòdàbig碩大
丰硕fēngshuòplentiful豐碩
硕果shuòguǒgreat work碩果
华硕huáshuòAsus (computer manufacturer)華碩
硕士生shuòshìshēngMaster's degree student碩士生
健硕jiànshuòwell-built (physique)健碩
肥硕féishuòplump肥碩
硕果累累shuòguǒlěilěiheavily laden with fruit碩果累累
硕果仅存shuòguǒjǐncúnonly remaining of the great (idiom); one of the few greats extant碩果僅存
和硕héshuòHoxud county, Xoshut nahiyisi or Heshuo county in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[BāyīnguōléngMěnggǔZìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang和碩
硕大无朋shuòdàwúpéngimmense碩大無朋
和硕县héshuòxiànHoxud or Heshuo county or Xoshut nahiyisi in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[BāyīnguōléngMěnggǔZìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang和碩縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 硕
What does 硕士 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 硕
Some synonyms for 硕 include '大' (dà), which also means big, and '巨' (jù), which means huge. Each of these words can convey a sense of largeness but may be used in different contexts.
While 硕 is not as commonly used in everyday conversation compared to simpler terms like 大 (dà), it appears in more formal contexts, particularly in academia or literature. Master’s level education and significant accomplishments are often described using this character.
硕 (shuò) means large or big in Chinese. It can also imply greatness or eminence when used in certain contexts, such as describing achievements or qualities. This character is often used in academic or formal settings to denote significance.
You can use 硕 to describe something that is large or significant. For example, you might say '硕大的苹果' (shuò dà de píngguǒ), which means 'a large apple'. It’s also used in phrases like '硕士' (shuòshì) meaning 'master's degree'.
It means 'large' or 'great,' often used to describe significant achievements or sizes.
You might say 硕士学位 (shuòshì xuéwèi) to refer to a master's degree.
While its primary meaning is 'large,' it can also imply eminence or importance.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 硕?
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.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
