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赎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
shúransom; to buy; to redeemHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 贝, rank #6173, Hard
shúto ransomHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 贝, rank #6173, Hard
shú(shu2) T2
  1. 1ransom; to buy; to redeem
  2. 2to ransom
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(贖)shú(shu2)

The character 赎 (shú) primarily means to redeem or ransom something. It is commonly used in contexts related to buying back property or releasing a person from captivity by paying a sum of money. The nuance often implies a sense of recovery or restoration, whether it's a person, an object, or a situation.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#6173DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of redemption is often tied to moral and ethical implications, particularly in contexts like forgiveness and atonement, reflecting a society that values relationships and social harmony.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding a 'redemption' sign while standing in front of a locked gate, where their loved one is held captive. The image of the gate symbolizes something that can be 'redeemed' or 'ransom' through the payment of money, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'shú'.

Meanings of 赎

shú(shu2)
1ransom; to buy; to redeem
2to ransom
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 赎

Simplified
Traditional
12Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 赎

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AI Study Notes for 赎

Quick Contrast

赎 (shú) vs 买回 (mǎihuí) — use 赎 when emphasizing the act of redemption or release from captivity, whereas 买回 focuses specifically on the act of buying something back without the implication of restoring or freeing.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person holding a 'redemption' sign while standing in front of a locked gate, where their loved one is held captive. The image of the gate symbolizes something that can be 'redeemed' or 'ransom' through the payment of money, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'shú'.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 赎 (shú) with 署 (shǔ), which means 'to sign'. In formal contexts, 赎 is often used in legal or financial language, while in informal speech it might refer to personal situations like redeeming a promise. Be cautious of tone; mispronouncing the second tone can lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding 赎 can enhance comprehension of related terms like 赎回 (shúhuí, to redeem) and 赎罪 (shúzuì, to atone). Focus on how it interacts with other verbs that involve transactions or exchanges.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of redemption is often tied to moral and ethical implications, particularly in contexts like forgiveness and atonement, reflecting a society that values relationships and social harmony.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 赎 (shú) with 赐 (cì), which means 'to bestow'. For example, saying '我赐钱买回' (Wǒ cì qián mǎihuí) instead of '我赎钱买回' (Wǒ shú qián mǎihuí) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 赎

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Etymology of 赎

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To sell 卖 a soul for money 贝; 卖 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 赎?

Decomposition of 赎

IDS Structure⿰贝卖
Full Character
=
Bei4
left
mai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 赎?

Write 赎

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

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Grammar Patterns of 赎

赎 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 2 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

业主如果未能按时交房贷,就会面临丧失抵押品____回权的危险。

If homeowners can't keep up the payments, they face foreclosure.

Example Sentences for 赎 (3)

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1
业主如果未能按时交房贷,就会面临丧失抵押品赎回权的危险。

yè zhǔ rú guǒ wèi néng àn shí jiāo fáng dài, , jiù huì miàn lín sāng shī dǐ yā pǐn shú huí quán de wēi。

If homeowners can't keep up the payments, they face foreclosure.
2
你愿意以苦刑赎你的罪吗, 孩子?

nǐ yuàn yì yǐ kǔ xíng shú nǐ de zuì ma, , hái?

Are you willing to do penance for your sins, my son?
3
爱情的救赎力量

ài qíng de jiù shú lì liáng

the redemptive power of love

Cultural Notes for 赎

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of redemption is often tied to moral and ethical implications, particularly in contexts like forgiveness and atonement, reflecting a society that values relationships and social harmony.

Word Family of 赎

Words Containing This Character7
赎回to redeem贖回
shúto redeem
赎金ransom贖金
赎罪redemption贖罪
将功赎罪to atone for one's crimes by meritorious acts將功贖罪
赎款ransom贖款
掳人勒赎kidnapping for ransom擄人勒贖
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 赎回 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 赎

Common phrases include 赎回 (shúhuí, to redeem) and 赎罪 (shúzuì, to atone).