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赦 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
shèto forgive, to pardon, to remitv, 11 strokes, radical 赤, rank #17031, Hard
shèto pardon (a convict)unknown, 11 strokes, radical 赤, rank #17031, Hard
shè(she4) T4
  1. 1to forgive, to pardon, to remit
  2. 2to pardon (a convict)
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March 24, 2026
shè(she4)

The character 赦 (shè) means to forgive or to pardon, often in a legal context, such as remitting a punishment for a convict. It conveys a sense of mercy and the act of absolving someone from guilt or obligation, commonly used in formal or governmental communications regarding clemency.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#17031DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of 赦 is often linked to imperial decrees where emperors would grant pardons during significant festivals or in response to public appeals. This practice reflects the value placed on mercy in governance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a judge in a flowing robe, holding a scroll that says '赦.' The character has the radical '衣' (clothes) at the bottom, suggesting the authority of someone who decides on matters of justice, while the top part looks like a roof, indicating a place of decision-making. Picture the judge waving the scroll to forgive someone, and you’ll remember 'shè' means to pardon.

Meanings of 赦

shè(she4)
1to forgive, to pardon, to remit
2to pardon (a convict)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 赦

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 赦

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AI Study Notes for 赦

Quick Contrast

宽恕 (kuānshù, to forgive) - use 赦 (shè) when referring to formal legal pardons, while 宽恕 (kuānshù) is more general and can apply to personal forgiveness.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a judge in a flowing robe, holding a scroll that says '赦.' The character has the radical '衣' (clothes) at the bottom, suggesting the authority of someone who decides on matters of justice, while the top part looks like a roof, indicating a place of decision-making. Picture the judge waving the scroll to forgive someone, and you’ll remember 'shè' means to pardon.

Usage Notes

赦 is typically used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or governmental discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with other similar verbs like 免 (miǎn), which means to exempt. Be cautious with tone; 'shè' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can be confused with the rising tone of 'shé' (蛇) meaning snake.

HSK Study Tips

While not specifically part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding 赦 can help learners associate it with other legal terms. Focus on its usage in sentences related to justice and mercy, and try to connect it with words like 罚 (fá, to punish) and 免 (miǎn, to exempt) for a deeper grasp.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of 赦 is often linked to imperial decrees where emperors would grant pardons during significant festivals or in response to public appeals. This practice reflects the value placed on mercy in governance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 赦 with 免 (miǎn), leading to incorrect sentences like '我赦他不去' (I pardon him not to go), instead of '我免他不去' (I exempt him from going). Remember, 赦 is specifically about forgiveness or pardoning in formal contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 赦

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Etymology of 赦

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

let go

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 赦?

Decomposition of 赦

IDS Structure⿰赤攵
Full Character
=
chi4
left
pu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 赦?

Write 赦

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 赦

赦 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 3

Complete the Sentence

她感觉他的那番话好似给她下了道____令。

She felt as if his words had granted her absolution.

Example Sentences for 赦 (2)

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1
她感觉他的那番话好似给她下了道赦令。

tā gǎn jué tā de nà fān huà hǎo sì gěi tā xià le dào shè líng。

She felt as if his words had granted her absolution.
2
他跪在国王面前请求赦罪.

tā guì zài guó wáng miàn qián qǐng qiú shè zuì.

He knelt before the king and asked for pardon.

Cultural Notes for 赦

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, the concept of 赦 is often linked to imperial decrees where emperors would grant pardons during significant festivals or in response to public appeals. This practice reflects the value placed on mercy in governance.

Word Family of 赦

Words Containing This Character8
赦免to pardon
shèto pardon (a convict)
特赦amnesty
大赦amnesty
十恶不赦heinous十惡不赦
赦令amnesty
赦罪to forgive (an offender)
宽赦to forgive寬赦
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 赦免 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 赦

While it is primarily used in legal contexts, 赦 can also be applied in more personal or informal situations when discussing forgiveness.