Meanings of 嗜
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Podcast: 嗜
Podcast: 嗜
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AI study notes for 嗜
嗜 (shì) vs 喜 (xǐ) — use 嗜 for a stronger or more obsessive fondness than 喜, which indicates general liking.
It's important to use 嗜 in contexts that imply a strong preference or addiction, as using it too casually may sound overly dramatic. Common collocations include 嗜好 (shìhào) meaning 'hobby' or 'preference'. Be cautious with the tone; it is pronounced with a falling tone (shì).
While 嗜 is not in the official HSK levels, it connects well with other words expressing preferences or habits, such as 爱 (ài, love) or 喜欢 (xǐhuān, like). Students should focus on understanding its connotation of addiction or strong fondness, as this nuance sets it apart from similar terms.
Learners often confuse 嗜 with 喜欢 (xǐhuān), using it when they mean to say they like something. For instance, saying 我嗜这个 (Wǒ shì zhège) to mean 'I like this' is incorrect; it should be 我喜欢这个 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège).
Pronunciation of 嗜
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Etymology of 嗜
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 耆 represents the sound.
mouth
Origin
嗜 = 口 + 耆. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 嗜
Parts
Which of these is part of 嗜?
How to say addicted to, fond of, with a weakness for in Chinese
“addicted to, fond of, with a weakness for” in Chinese is嗜
The character 嗜 (shì) refers to a strong fondness or addiction to something. It is commonly used in contexts where a person has a particular taste or preference, such as for food or activities, and implies a certain level of enthusiasm or obsession. This term often appears in discussions about hobbies, habits, or even vices.
When to use 嗜
It's important to use 嗜 in contexts that imply a strong preference or addiction, as using it too casually may sound overly dramatic. Common collocations include 嗜好 (shìhào) meaning 'hobby' or 'preference'. Be cautious with the tone; it is pronounced with a falling tone (shì).
嗜 or something close to it
嗜 (shì) vs 喜 (xǐ) — use 嗜 for a stronger or more obsessive fondness than 喜, which indicates general liking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 嗜 with 喜欢 (xǐhuān), using it when they mean to say they like something. For instance, saying 我嗜这个 (Wǒ shì zhège) to mean 'I like this' is incorrect; it should be 我喜欢这个 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège).
Write 嗜
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Practice writing 嗜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 嗜
嗜 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.
Fill the gap
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在1985年，他开始表现出酗酒____毒的迹象。
In 1985, he began to show signs of alcohol and drug dependency.
Example sentences for 嗜 (6)
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Word Family of 嗜
Words with 嗜
What does 嗜好 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 嗜
Not quite; 嗜 implies a stronger sense of addiction or fondness than just liking. Use 喜欢 (xǐhuān) for general preferences.
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