unknown, 11 strokes, radical 贝, rank #31201, Very Hard
赊
shē
distant
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 贝, rank #31201, Very Hard
赊
shē
long (time)
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 贝, rank #31201, Very Hard
赊
shē
to forgive
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 贝, rank #31201, Very Hard
shē(she1) T1
1to buy and sell on credit
2to buy or sell on credit
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March 24, 2026
赊(賒)shē(she1)
The character 赊 (shē) primarily means to buy or sell on credit, indicating a transaction where payment is deferred. It can also convey a sense of something being distant or long-lasting in time. This term is often used in financial contexts and emphasizes the trust involved in credit transactions.
Strokes11Radical贝Frequency#31201DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese commerce, credit systems have deep historical roots, with trust being a fundamental aspect of transactions. The practice of extending credit reflects the cultural value placed on relationships and trust in business dealings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shopkeeper who 'shakes' hands with customers (shē sounds like 'shake') to allow them to take goods home without paying immediately, representing the concept of credit. Picture a long line of customers waiting to 'shake' hands with the shopkeeper, emphasizing the idea of time and trust.
Meanings of 赊
shē(she1)
1to buy and sell on credit
2to buy or sell on credit
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 赊
赊Simplified
賒Traditional
11Strokes
贝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 赊
Podcast: 赊
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AI Study Notes for 赊
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a shopkeeper who 'shakes' hands with customers (shē sounds like 'shake') to allow them to take goods home without paying immediately, representing the concept of credit. Picture a long line of customers waiting to 'shake' hands with the shopkeeper, emphasizing the idea of time and trust.
Usage Notes
Learners may confuse 赊 with similar-sounding characters, so it's crucial to focus on the context of credit transactions. This term is more common in formal business discussions rather than in casual conversation. Be careful with the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 赊 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your grasp of financial discussions in Mandarin. Pay attention to related terms like 贷款 (dàikuǎn - loan) and 信用 (xìnyòng - credit), which often appear in similar contexts.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese commerce, credit systems have deep historical roots, with trust being a fundamental aspect of transactions. The practice of extending credit reflects the cultural value placed on relationships and trust in business dealings.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 赊 with 赊 (shē) and 还 (huán - to return) when discussing payments. For example, saying '我还货' instead of '我赊货' (I return goods vs. I buy on credit) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 赊
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Grammar Patterns of 赊
赊 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
这家人不得不靠向当地商人____账生活。
The family was forced to live on credit from local merchants.
Example Sentences for 赊 (7)
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1
这家人不得不靠向当地商人赊账生活。
zhè jiā rén bù dé bù kào xiàng dāng dì shāng rén shē zhàng shēng huó。
The family was forced to live on credit from local merchants.
2
买主们千方百计想从供货商那儿无息赊购。
mǎi zhǔ mén qiān fāng bǎi jì xiǎng cóng gōng huò shāng nà ér wú xī shē gòu。
Buyers use different ruses to wring free credit out of their suppliers.
Give me 100 dollars down and we'll put the rest on the cuff.
7
当地的一家小食品店竟不肯赊给我们一些咸牛肉.
dāng dì de yī jiā xiǎo shí pǐn diàn jìng bù kěn shē gěi wǒ mén yī xiē xián niú ròu.
The local deli wouldn't even carry our corned beef.
Cultural Notes for 赊
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese commerce, credit systems have deep historical roots, with trust being a fundamental aspect of transactions. The practice of extending credit reflects the cultural value placed on relationships and trust in business dealings.
Word Family of 赊
Words Containing This Character5
赊shēdistant賒
赊账outstanding account賒賬
赊销credit transaction賒銷
赊欠to offer credit賒欠
赊购to buy on credit賒購
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 赊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 赊
It is not commonly used in casual speech but is important in financial and business contexts.
Yes, it is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing credit agreements.
You can use 赊账 (shēzhàng) specifically for credit accounts, which is more explicit.
