to indulge; excess; four (bankers' anti-fraud numeral)
m, 13 strokes, radical 聿, rank #50302, Very Hard
sì(si4) T4
1four (banker's anti-fraud numeral)
2unrestrained
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March 24, 2026
肆sì(si4)
The character 肆 (sì) has several meanings, primarily denoting the number four in a banking context, specifically to prevent fraud. Additionally, it conveys notions of indulgence and excess, often used to describe unrestrained behavior. In literary contexts, it can also refer to a shop or establishment.
Strokes13Radical聿Frequency#50302DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the number four is often considered unlucky, but in banking, 肆 serves as a crucial numeral to ensure clarity and prevent fraud during transactions, highlighting the importance of accuracy in financial dealings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shop (肆) that sells four times the usual amount of everything, overflowing with excess. The character has the radical for 'flesh' (月), suggesting indulgence in physical pleasures, and the pronunciation 'sì' sounds like 'see', as in seeing too much of something.
Meanings of 肆
sì(si4)
1four (banker's anti-fraud numeral)
2unrestrained
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 肆
肆Simplified
13Strokes
聿Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#50302Frequency Rank
Podcast: 肆
Podcast: 肆
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AI Study Notes for 肆
Quick Contrast
肆 (sì) vs 斯 (sī) - use 肆 when referring to indulgence or the number four in banking; use 斯 for a sense of 'this' or 'such' in literary contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a shop (肆) that sells four times the usual amount of everything, overflowing with excess. The character has the radical for 'flesh' (月), suggesting indulgence in physical pleasures, and the pronunciation 'sì' sounds like 'see', as in seeing too much of something.
Usage Notes
肆 is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, especially in financial documents. Common mistakes include confusing it with other characters for 'four', such as 四 (sì), which is used in everyday counting. Be mindful of its tonal pronunciation to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
While 肆 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK 1's 四 (sì) and can be a useful addition for learners focusing on financial or literary language. Students should practice distinguishing it from similar characters.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the number four is often considered unlucky, but in banking, 肆 serves as a crucial numeral to ensure clarity and prevent fraud during transactions, highlighting the importance of accuracy in financial dealings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肆 with 四, using it inappropriately in casual counting situations. For example, saying 肆个苹果 (sì gè píngguǒ) instead of 四个苹果 (sì gè píngguǒ) for 'four apples' is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肆
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Grammar Patterns of 肆
肆 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 5 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 5
Complete the Sentence
这些图片大____渲染，会让一些比较年轻的读者们惶恐不安。
The pictures were sensationalist and could seriously disturb younger readers.
Example Sentences for 肆 (10)
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1
这些图片大肆渲染，会让一些比较年轻的读者们惶恐不安。
zhè xiē tú piàn dà sì xuàn rǎn， ， huì ràng yī xiē bǐ jiào nián qīng de dú zhě mén huáng kǒng bù。
The pictures were sensationalist and could seriously disturb younger readers.
2
他们被推来搡去，受到大肆的谩骂攻击。
tā mén bèi tuī lái sǎng qù， ， shòu dào dà sì de mán mà gōng。
They were jostled and subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse.
3
当地的新闻机构因为对此事大肆渲染而备受指责。
dāng dì de xīn wén jī gòu yīn wéi duì cǐ shì dà sì xuàn rǎn ér bèi shòu zhǐ zé。
Local news organizations are being criticized for sensationalizing the story.
4
放肆! 马上把你的手挪开.
fàng sì! ! mǎ shàng bǎ nǐ de shǒu nuó.
How dare you? Take your hand off me at once.
5
我今天放肆一回—我要了香槟了！
wǒ jīn tiān fàng sì yī huí— — wǒ yào le xiāng bīn！
Halliday's comments grew daily more and more sparklingly disagreeable and disparaging.
7
记住，不要大肆宣扬，我们只要到那儿去干我们的活就行了。
jì zhù， ， bù yào dà sì xuān， yáng ， wǒ mén zhī yào dào nà ér qù gān wǒ mén de huó jiù。
Remember, no heroics, we just go in there and do our job.
8
安卡拉整个肆意扩展的城区容纳了260多万人口。
ān kǎ lā zhěng gè sì yì kuò zhǎn de chéng qū róng nà le260 260 duō wàn rén。
The whole urban sprawl of Ankara contains over 6m people.
9
你敢在我面前这么放肆地开玩笑.
nǐ gǎn zài wǒ miàn qián zhè mó fàng sì dì kāi wán xiào.
You presume to jest with me in this free manner.
10
媒体会报道此事，小报则会大肆吹捧。
méi tǐ huì bào dào cǐ shì， ， xiǎo bào zé huì dà sì chuī。
The media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up.
Cultural Notes for 肆
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the number four is often considered unlucky, but in banking, 肆 serves as a crucial numeral to ensure clarity and prevent fraud during transactions, highlighting the importance of accuracy in financial dealings.
Word Family of 肆
Compounds1
蕼
Words Containing This Character10
大肆dàsìwantonly
肆意wantonly
放肆fàngsìwanton
肆虐to wreak havoc
肆无忌惮sìwújìdànunbridled肆無忌憚
肆sìwanton
酒肆wine shop
肆意妄为to behave unscrupulously肆意妄為
恣肆unrestrained
肆行to act recklessly
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 大肆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 肆
In banking, 肆 represents the numeral four and is used to prevent fraud in financial documents.
It's less common in everyday conversation and is mainly used in formal or literary contexts.
肆 is used in specific contexts, like banking or literature, while 四 is the standard character for the number four.
