unknown, 8 strokes, radical 饣, rank #51117, Very Hard
sì(si4) T4
1old variant of 飼
2>饲[sì]
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March 24, 2026
饲(飤)sì(si4)
The character 饲 (sì) refers to the act of raising or feeding animals, such as livestock or pets. It encompasses the broader meaning of nourishing or providing for living beings, particularly in agricultural contexts. This term is commonly used in discussions about animal husbandry and care.
Strokes8Radical饣Frequency#51117DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In rural China, the practice of 饲 (raising and feeding animals) is integral to traditional agriculture and food production, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in Chinese culture and cuisine.
Memory Tip
Think of a farmer (the radical 饣, related to food) feeding animals (the character itself) with the sound 'sì' resembling the sound of a whistle calling animals. Visualize a farmer whistling to his animals while providing them food, reinforcing the connection between feeding and the character.
Meanings of 饲
sì(si4)
1to raise
2to rear
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 饲
饲Simplified
飤Traditional
8Strokes
饣Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#51117Frequency Rank
Podcast: 饲
Podcast: 饲
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AI Study Notes for 饲
Quick Contrast
饲 (sì, to feed) vs 养 (yǎng, to raise) — use 饲 specifically for feeding animals, while 养 refers more broadly to raising and caring for them.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a farmer (the radical 饣, related to food) feeding animals (the character itself) with the sound 'sì' resembling the sound of a whistle calling animals. Visualize a farmer whistling to his animals while providing them food, reinforcing the connection between feeding and the character.
Usage Notes
饲 is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in agriculture or veterinary discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters like 飼 (sì), which has a related but distinct meaning. Pay attention to the tone as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 饲 is not listed in HSK, students at this level should focus on vocabulary related to animals and food, as they often appear in daily conversation. Understanding 饲 can enhance comprehension of phrases discussing animal care and dietary practices.
Cultural Note
In rural China, the practice of 饲 (raising and feeding animals) is integral to traditional agriculture and food production, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in Chinese culture and cuisine.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 饲 with 飼, mistakenly using them interchangeably in sentences about feeding animals. For example, saying '我饲我的狗' is incorrect; it should be '我飼我的狗'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饲
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Grammar Patterns of 饲
饲 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他在准备____料, 把它切碎,拌好.
He was preparing fodder, chopping finely and mixing thoroughly.
Example Sentences for 饲 (9)
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1
他在准备饲料, 把它切碎,拌好.
tā zài zhǔn bèi sì liào, , bǎ tā qiē, suì ,.
He was preparing fodder, chopping finely and mixing thoroughly.
2
他们都是多产的饲养员，养的母鸡很多都可以下6个蛋之多。
tā mén dū shì duō chǎn de sì yǎng yuán， ， yǎng de mǔ jī hěn duō dū kě yǐ6 xià 6 gè dàn。
They are prolific breeders, with many hens laying up to six eggs.
There are many good automatic, semiautomatic, and hand feeding devices available commercially.
7
这是一种良好的疫苗, 尤其对喂饲残羹的猪.
zhè shì yī zhǒng liáng hǎo de yì miáo, , yóu qí duì wèi sì cán gēng de.
It is a good vaccine, particularly in pigs fed on swill.
8
数千年以前人们就学会了饲养动物.
shù qiān nián yǐ qián rén mén jiù xué huì le sì yǎng dòng wù.
Many thousand years ago people learned how to domesticate animals.
9
他们把高粱做成了猪饲料.
tā mén bǎ gāo liáng zuò chéng le zhū sì liào.
They made sorghum into pig feed.
Cultural Notes for 饲
🏮Cultural insight
In rural China, the practice of 饲 (raising and feeding animals) is integral to traditional agriculture and food production, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in Chinese culture and cuisine.
Word Family of 饲
Words Containing This Character7
饲料sìliàofeed飼料
饲养sìyǎngto raise飼養
饲养员zookeeper飼養員
饲sìto raise飼
饲草forage grass飼草
饲养业stock farming飼養業
饲养者feeder飼養者
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 饲料 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 饲
饲 is an older variant of 飼, but they share similar meanings related to feeding and raising animals.
No, 饲 specifically refers to feeding animals; for humans, other terms like 喂 (wèi) are used.
饲 is less common in modern usage, with 飼 being preferred, but it may still appear in formal or literary contexts.
