HSK 5, nr, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
释
shì
to release
HSK 5, nr, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
释
shì
Buddha (abbr. for 釋迦牟尼
HSK 5, nr, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
释
shì
>释迦牟尼[Shì jiā móu ní])
HSK 5, nr, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
释
shì
Buddhism
HSK 5, nr, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
释
shì
to explain, to interpret; to release
HSK 5, nr, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
释
shì
Buddha (abbr. for 釋迦牟尼|释迦牟尼[Shi4 jia1 mou2 ni2])
HSK 5, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 釆, rank #13874, Hard
shì(shi4) T4
1to explain
2to release
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March 24, 2026
释(釋)shì(shi4)
The character 释 (shì) primarily means 'to explain' or 'to release'. It is commonly used in contexts relating to Buddhism, where it refers to Buddha or the act of interpreting teachings. In everyday language, it can also pertain to clarifying concepts or letting go of something.
Strokes12Radical釆Frequency#13874DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The character 释 is closely tied to Buddhism, specifically referring to Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It reflects the importance of interpretation and understanding in Buddhist teachings, emphasizing clarity in doctrine.
Memory Tip
Imagine a Buddha with a release valve, letting go of a heavy burden while explaining profound truths to his followers. The left component, 释, reminds you of 'release', while the sound 'shì' can be associated with 'shedding light on' something.
Meanings of 释
shì(shi4)
1to explain
2to release
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 释
释Simplified
釋Traditional
12Strokes
釆Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#13874Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 释
Podcast: 释
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AI Study Notes for 释
Quick Contrast
释 (shì, to explain/release) vs 解 (jiě, to solve/untie) — use 释 when focusing on explaining or clarifying, while 解 is more about solving problems or untying knots.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a Buddha with a release valve, letting go of a heavy burden while explaining profound truths to his followers. The left component, 释, reminds you of 'release', while the sound 'shì' can be associated with 'shedding light on' something.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 释 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but might sound more sophisticated when discussing philosophical or religious topics. Common collocations include 释义 (shìyì, to explain a meaning) and 释然 (shìrán, to feel relieved).
HSK Study Tips
As 释 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, focus on its usage in religious texts or philosophical discussions. It connects to concepts of explanation and interpretation, which are vital at higher levels of language proficiency. Pay attention to its context in sentences.
Cultural Note
The character 释 is closely tied to Buddhism, specifically referring to Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It reflects the importance of interpretation and understanding in Buddhist teachings, emphasizing clarity in doctrine.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 释 (shì) with 识 (shí, to know), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, saying '我释这个问题' (wǒ shì zhège wèntí) instead of '我想解释这个问题' (wǒ xiǎng jiěshì zhège wèntí) to mean 'I want to explain this question' is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 释
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Grammar Patterns of 释
释 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 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.
Before she ran away, she left a note explaining her actions.
7
昨天南约克郡法院准予他获得保释。
zuó tiān nán yuē kè jùn fǎ yuàn zhǔn yú tā huò dé bǎo shì。
He was yesterday given bail by South Yorkshire magistrates.
8
他有点天真地解释了这一罪行可能是如何实施的。
tā yǒu diǎn tiān zhēn dì jiě shì le zhè yī zuì háng kě néng shì rú hé shí shī de。
Somewhat ingenuously, he explains how the crime may be accomplished.
9
他获得保释，将于11月5日在地方法庭出庭受审。
tā huò dé bǎo shì， ， jiāng11 yú5 11 yuè 5 rì zài dì fāng fǎ tíng chū。
He was bailed to appear before local magistrates on 5 November.
10
在昨天的一次秘密行动中她从监狱获释。
zài zuó tiān de yī cì mì mì háng dòng zhōng tā cóng jiān yù huò shì。
She was released from prison in a cloak and dagger operation yesterday.
Cultural Notes for 释
💡Did you know?
In Buddhism, 释迦牟尼 (Shì jiā móu ní) is the historical Buddha, and the character 释 reflects the idea of explaining profound truths, making it central to Buddhist teachings.
🏮Cultural insight
The character 释 is closely tied to Buddhism, specifically referring to Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It reflects the importance of interpretation and understanding in Buddhist teachings, emphasizing clarity in doctrine.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of 'release' in 释 is similar to the Western idea of 'letting go,' which is essential in both psychological and spiritual practices. This highlights a universal theme of freedom from attachments.
Word Family of 释
Words Containing This Character20
解释jiěshìexplanation解釋
释放shìfàngto release釋放
诠释to interpret詮釋
假释parole假釋
保释to bail保釋
释shìto explain釋
稀释to dilute稀釋
释怀to release (tension)釋懷
阐释to explain闡釋
注释zhùshìmarginal notes注釋
获释freed (from prison)獲釋
释然relieved釋然
爱不释手àibúshìshǒuto love sth too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle admiringly愛不釋手
如释重负as if relieved from a burden (idiom)如釋重負
释义the meaning of sth釋義
释迦牟尼Sakyamuni Buddha (Sanskrit: sage of the Sakya)釋迦牟尼
释疑to dispel doubts釋疑
开释to release (a prisoner)開釋
释迦sugar apple釋迦
冰释thaw (in relations)冰釋
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 解释 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 释
In Buddhism, 释 (shì) refers to the Buddha and is a critical term in various Buddhist texts. It underscores the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and represents the philosophy of enlightenment and understanding. The term is often used in religious contexts and discussions about Buddhist concepts.
释 (shì) and 解释 (jiěshì) both relate to the act of explaining, but they have different usages. 释 is more formal and often used in contexts like Buddhism or philosophical discussions, while 解释 is more commonly used in everyday language to explain or clarify something.
释 (shì) primarily means 'to explain' or 'to release.' It is also an abbreviation for Buddha, specifically referring to 释迦牟尼 (Shìjiāmóuní). In Buddhism, 释 carries significant meaning in the context of teachings and enlightenment.
You can use 释 (shì) in sentences to indicate explaining something. For example, '老师为我释疑' (Lǎoshī wèi wǒ shì yí), which translates to 'The teacher explained the doubts to me.' It can also be used to express the act of releasing, such as in '释放' (shìfàng), meaning 'to release.'
In Buddhism, 释 refers to the Buddha, particularly Shakyamuni, and implies the act of explaining or interpreting Buddhist teachings.
Yes, while 释 is often used in formal or philosophical contexts, it can also be used in everyday conversation when discussing explanations or clarifications.
It is pronounced as 'shì' with a falling tone, similar to the English word 'shh' followed by a short 'ee' sound.
