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綬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
綬shòua silk ribbon used as a sealx, 14 strokes, radical 糹
shòu(shou4) T4
  1. 1a silk ribbon used as a seal
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March 24, 2026

綬shòu(shou4)

The character 綬 (shòu) refers to a silk ribbon traditionally used to signify authority or as a seal in official documents. It is often associated with ceremonial contexts, such as awards, where a ribbon indicates the importance or value of the item it adorns.

Strokes14Radical糹
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, silk ribbons are often used in traditional ceremonies, such as weddings or award ceremonies, symbolizing respect and recognition. The use of silk signifies luxury and high status.

Memory Tip

Imagine a majestic ribbon flowing gracefully in the wind, representing honor and authority. The character 綬 features the radical 糸 (mì), which relates to silk, combined with the phonetic component 受 (shòu), suggesting that this ribbon is 'received' as a mark of distinction.

Meanings of 綬

shòu(shou4)
1a silk ribbon used as a seal
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 綬

綬Simplified
14Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 綬

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Podcast: 綬

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AI Study Notes for 綬

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts, so it might not appear in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, and remember that the tone is crucial; it should be pronounced with a falling tone (shòu). Common collocations include phrases related to awards or honors.

HSK Study Tips

Although 綬 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other HSK words related to ceremonies and awards. Focus on its usage in literary or formal contexts to enhance your vocabulary for special occasions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 綬 with 受 (shòu), which means 'to receive.' Remember that 綬 specifically refers to a ribbon. A common mistake would be using 綬 to describe receiving an award instead of its ceremonial significance.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 綬

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Etymology of 綬

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 受 represents the sound. Simplified form of 綬.

Memory Hint

silk

Semantic (meaning)糹
+
Phonetic (sound)受
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 綬

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 受 represents the sound. Simplified form of 綬.

  1. 1The meaning half糹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half受 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaysilk
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 綬? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 綬?

Decomposition of 綬

IDS Structure⿰糹受
綬Full Character
=
糹si1
left
受shou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 綬?

How to say a silk ribbon used as a seal in Chinese

“a silk ribbon used as a seal” in Chinese is綬shòu

The character 綬 (shòu) refers to a silk ribbon traditionally used to signify authority or as a seal in official documents. It is often associated with ceremonial contexts, such as awards, where a ribbon indicates the importance or value of the item it adorns.

When to use 綬

This character is often used in formal contexts, so it might not appear in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, and remember that the tone is crucial; it should be pronounced with a falling tone (shòu). Common collocations include phrases related to awards or honors.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 綬 with 受 (shòu), which means 'to receive.' Remember that 綬 specifically refers to a ribbon. A common mistake would be using 綬 to describe receiving an award instead of its ceremonial significance.

Write 綬

綬

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

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Word Family of 綬

Words Containing This Character4
绶带ribbon (as a decoration)綬帶
绶shòucord on a seal綬
印绶sealed ribbon fastening correspondence (in former times)印綬
吐绶鸡turkey吐綬雞
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 绶带 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 綬

In modern contexts, 綬 is used mainly in formal settings, such as award ceremonies, where it represents honor.

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