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史 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
史Shǐsurname ShiHSK 4, nr, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #2108, Hard
史ShǐhistoryHSK 4, nr, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #2108, Hard
史ShǐannalsHSK 4, nr, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #2108, Hard
史Shǐtitle of an official historian in ancient ChinaHSK 4, nr, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #2108, Hard
史Shǐhistory, chronicle, annalsHSK 4, nr, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #2108, Hard
Shǐ(Shi3) T3
  1. 1history
  2. 2annals
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
史Shǐ(Shi3)

The character 史 (shǐ) primarily means 'history' or 'annals.' It can refer to historical accounts or records, and is often used in contexts related to historical studies or documentation. Additionally, it is a common Chinese surname and can denote the title of a historian in ancient China.

Strokes5Radical口Frequency#2108DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, history holds significant importance, often viewed as a guide for the present and future. The role of historians, denoted by 史, was especially vital in maintaining records of dynasties and philosophies that shaped Chinese civilization.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise old historian, holding a scroll, which represents the shape of 史. The character has a horizontal line at the top, resembling the horizon of time, while the two vertical strokes symbolize the passage of history and events. Remember 'shǐ' as 'sheer time' with this visual!

Meanings of 史

Shǐ(Shi3)
1history
2annals
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 史

史Simplified
5Strokes
口Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#2108Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4

Podcast: 史

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Podcast: 史

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AI Study Notes for 史

Quick Contrast

历史 (lìshǐ) vs 史 (shǐ): Use 史 for a more formal or classical reference to history, while 历史 is the more common term in modern usage.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a wise old historian, holding a scroll, which represents the shape of 史. The character has a horizontal line at the top, resembling the horizon of time, while the two vertical strokes symbolize the passage of history and events. Remember 'shǐ' as 'sheer time' with this visual!

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 史 with similar characters like 试 (shì, to try) or 是 (shì, to be). The character is more formal and is typically used in academic or literary contexts. Common collocations include 史书 (historical books) and 历史 (history).

HSK Study Tips

Though 史 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it's relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above due to discussions about history. Students should focus on its usage in compound words like 历史 and connect it to other terms related to time and events.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, history holds significant importance, often viewed as a guide for the present and future. The role of historians, denoted by 史, was especially vital in maintaining records of dynasties and philosophies that shaped Chinese civilization.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 史 with the character 是 (shì), leading to incorrect phrases like 这是历史 (zhè shì lìshǐ, this is history) when they should say 这是史 (zhè shì shǐ). It's important to remember that 史 specifically pertains to history.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 史

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Etymology of 史

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

The characters 史 (history), 吏 (government official), 使 (cause; use; instruct), and 事 (matter; work; affair) are all etymologically related and all derive from the same ancient character, depicting a hand (又) holding some object. There are vario

Memory Hint

A hand 乂 using a pen to record a history

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 史?

Decomposition of 史

IDS Structure⿻口乂
史Full Character
=
口kou3
outer
乂yi4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 史?

Write 史

史

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

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Grammar Patterns of 史

史 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 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

在历____方面，他知道得很多。

When it comes to history, he knows a lot.

Common Confusions with 史

史vs事
shì

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

史vs时
shí

Similar pronunciation and shape but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "history"?

or

Example Sentences for 史 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
“史蒂夫，你要喝点什么？”——“可口可乐，百事，随便啦。”

“ “ shǐ dì， fū ， nǐ yào hē diǎn？”——“ shí mó ？”——“ kě， kǒu kě， lè ， bǎi。”

"Steve, what do you want?" — "Coke, Pepsi, it doesn't matter."
2
约翰，我为史蒂夫感到难过，但是我想你的决定是正确的。

yuē hàn， ， wǒ wéi shǐ dì fū gǎn dào nán， guò ， dàn shì wǒ xiǎng nǐ de jué dìng shì zhèng。

John, I'm sorry for Steve, but I think you'vemade the right decisions.
3
很显然，史密斯不是他的真名。

hěn xiǎn rán， ， shǐ mì sī bù shì tā de zhēn。

Smith isn't his real name, that stands to reason.
4
6月份的出口额上升了1.5%，创下309.1亿美元的历史最高纪录。

6 6 yuè fèn de chū kǒu é shàng shēng1.5%， le 1.5%，309.1 chuàng xià 309.1 yì měi yuán de lì shǐ zuì。

Exports in June rose 5% to a record $91 billion.
5
太湖水位达到了历史最高值。

tài hú shuǐ wèi dá dào le lì shǐ zuì gāo zhí。

The water level in Lake Taihu has reached record levels.
6
导游简要地介绍了那个遗址的历史。

dǎo yóu jiǎn yào dì jiè shào le nà gè yí zhǐ de lì shǐ。

A guide gives a brief talk on the history of the site.
7
这枚胸针的历史可以追溯到公元前4世纪。

zhè méi xiōng zhēn de lì shǐ kě yǐ zhuī sù dào gōng yuán qián4 4 shì。

The brooch dates back to the fourth century BC.
8
这家人把斯蒂芬·史密斯视为养子一样当作一家人。

zhè jiā rén bǎ sī dì fēn· · shǐ mì sī shì wéi yǎng zǐ yī yàng dāng zuò yī jiā。

Stephen Smith was accepted into the family like an adopted brother.
9
这位航海家的名誉受到了历史修正主义者的攻击。

zhè wèi háng hǎi jiā de míng yù shòu dào le lì shǐ xiū zhèng zhǔ yì zhě de gōng jī。

The reputation of the navigator is under assault from historical revisionists.
10
我认为这是有史以来播出的最烂的节目之一。

wǒ rèn wéi zhè shì yǒu shǐ yǐ lái bō chū de zuì làn de jié mù zhī yī。

I judged it to be one of the worst programmes ever screened.

Cultural Notes for 史

💡Did you know?

The character 史 (shǐ) is not just used for history, but also refers to official historians in ancient China. These historians played a vital role in documenting events for the emperor and preserving the culture's legacy.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, history holds significant importance, often viewed as a guide for the present and future. The role of historians, denoted by 史, was especially vital in maintaining records of dynasties and philosophies that shaped Chinese civilization.

Word Family of 史

Compounds3
驶shi3to gallop
鉂
駛shi3to drive, to pilot, to ride; fast, quick
Words Containing This Character19
历史lìshǐhistory歷史
史Shǐhistory
历史上historical歷史上
有史以来since the beginning of history有史以來
史蒂夫Steve (male name)
史密斯Smith (name)
历史性historic歷史性
病史medical history
史无前例shǐwúqiánlìunprecedented in history史無前例
刺史provincial governor (old)
史诗an epic史詩
史蒂文Steven, Stephen (name)
史料historical material or data
史册annals史冊
史前prehistory
罗曼史love affair羅曼史
历史学家historian歷史學家
史学historiography史學
史实historical fact史實
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 驶 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 史

Yes, 史 is related to characters like 历 (lì), which also pertains to history, and 史书 (shǐ shū), meaning historical books or texts. These characters share similar themes concerning the recording and study of history.