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宿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宿sùsurname SuHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùnightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùlodge for the nightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùclassifier for nightsHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùoldHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùconstellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùformerHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùold variant of 宿[sù]HSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùold variant of 宿[su4]HSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔsurname SuHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔnightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔlodge for the nightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔclassifier for nightsHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔoldHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔconstellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔformerHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔold variant of 宿[sù]HSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔold variant of 宿[su4]HSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùsurname SuHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùnightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùlodge for the nightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùclassifier for nightsHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùoldHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùconstellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùformerHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùold variant of 宿[sù]HSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùold variant of 宿[su4]HSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
sù(su4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1surname Su
  2. 2night
Also a Chinese surname, Su — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

宿(㝛)sù(su4)

The character 宿 (sù) primarily refers to the concept of 'night' or 'lodging for the night.' It can also denote a place where one stops to rest, and is used in contexts related to constellations in astronomy. In addition, it has historical meanings connected to the idea of something old or former.

Strokes11Radical宀Frequency#4852DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

宿 is often found in terms related to traditional Chinese inns or hostels, reflecting the historical importance of hospitality in Chinese culture. The concept of lodging is crucial in the context of travel, especially in ancient China when long journeys required frequent overnight stays.

Memory Tip

Think of 宿 as a cozy 'nest' (the roof radical 宀 above the character) where one 'stays' overnight. Visualize a bird settling down to sleep in its nest, symbolizing rest and night, while the 's' sound (宿) reminds you of 'snooze.'

Meanings of 宿

sù(su4)
primary
1night
2lodge for the night
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 宿

宿Simplified
㝛Traditional
11Strokes
宀Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4852Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2

Podcast: 宿

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Podcast: 宿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 宿

Quick Contrast

宿 (sù) vs 住 (zhù) — use 宿 when referring specifically to lodging for the night, while 住 refers to the act of residing or living in a place.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 宿 with similar-sounding words like 速 (sù), which means 'fast.' 宿 is more commonly used in formal contexts or when discussing lodging, while in casual conversation, you might use simpler phrases like 'stay' or 'sleep.' Common collocations include 宿舍 (dormitory) and 住宿 (accommodation).

HSK Study Tips

Although 宿 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it is relevant for learners studying vocabulary related to travel and accommodation. Focus on the contexts where 宿 is used, such as in travel-related phrases or discussions about sleep and rest.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 宿 with the verb 住 (zhù), thinking they can interchange them. For example, saying '我在这里宿' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ sù) instead of '我在这里住' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ zhù) is incorrect; 宿 is not used as a verb for living in a place.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宿

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Etymology of 宿

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

A person 亻 sleeping in a bed 百 under a roof 宀

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 宿

  1. 1The giveawayA person 亻 sleeping in a bed 百 under a roof 宀
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 宿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 宿?

Decomposition of 宿

IDS Structure⿱宀佰
宿Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
佰bai3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 宿?

How to say surname Su in Chinese

“surname Su” in Chinese is宿sù

The character 宿 (sù) primarily refers to the concept of 'night' or 'lodging for the night.' It can also denote a place where one stops to rest, and is used in contexts related to constellations in astronomy. In addition, it has historical meanings connected to the idea of something old or former.

When to use 宿

Be careful not to confuse 宿 with similar-sounding words like 速 (sù), which means 'fast.' 宿 is more commonly used in formal contexts or when discussing lodging, while in casual conversation, you might use simpler phrases like 'stay' or 'sleep.' Common collocations include 宿舍 (dormitory) and 住宿 (accommodation).

宿 or something close to it

宿 (sù) vs 住 (zhù) — use 宿 when referring specifically to lodging for the night, while 住 refers to the act of residing or living in a place.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 宿 with the verb 住 (zhù), thinking they can interchange them. For example, saying '我在这里宿' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ sù) instead of '我在这里住' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ zhù) is incorrect; 宿 is not used as a verb for living in a place.

Write 宿

宿

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 宿

宿 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 10 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 lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

住____免费——你只需付早餐和正餐的钱。

Accommodation is free — all you pay for is breakfast and dinner.

Example Sentences for 宿 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
住宿免费——你只需付早餐和正餐的钱。

zhù sù miǎn fèi—— —— nǐ zhī xū fù zǎo cān hé zhèng cān de。

Accommodation is free — all you pay for is breakfast and dinner.
2
这可以说是一场与宿敌你死我活的比赛。

zhè kě yǐ shuō shì yī cháng yǔ sù dí nǐ sǐ wǒ huó de bǐ sài。

This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.
3
住宿从未提前安排好。

zhù sù cóng wèi tí qián ān pái hǎo。

Accommodation is never fixed up in advance.
4
他俩都是无家可归的人，露宿在城市最古老的桥下。

tā liǎng dū shì wú jiā kě guī de rén， ， lòu sù zài chéng shì zuì gǔ lǎo de qiáo。

They are both down-and-outs, sleeping under the city's oldest bridge.
5
有些人住在建筑质量很差的宿舍里，甚至帐篷里。

yǒu xiē rén zhù zài jiàn zhù zhì liáng hěn chà de sù shě lǐ， ， shèn zhì zhàng péng。

Some are living in poorly built dormitories, even in tents.
6
你们能获得大笔激励性薪水，还可享受免费膳宿。

nǐ mén néng huò dé dà bǐ jī lì xìng xīn shuǐ， ， huán kě xiǎng shòu miǎn fèi shàn。

You get a big salary incentive and free board and lodging too.
7
多数难民在高山上露宿。

duō shù nán mín zài gāo shān shàng lòu sù。

Most of the refugees are camped high in the mountains.
8
她送儿子上了东部的一所寄宿学校。

tā sòng ér zǐ shàng le dōng bù de yī suǒ jì sù xué xiào。

She sent her son to a boarding school in the East.
9
当然，她现在住在寄宿学校那边。

dāng rán， ， tā xiàn zài zhù zài jì sù xué xiào nà。

Of course, now she is away at boarding school.
10
在我们走访的学生宿舍里，大多明令禁止胡作非为。

zài wǒ mén zǒu fǎng de xué shēng sù shě lǐ， ， dà duō míng líng jīn zhǐ hú zuò fēi。

In most of the residence halls we visited, rules prohibit disorderly conduct.

Word Family of 宿

Compounds7
缩suo1to withdraw
蓿xu5alfalfa, clover, lucerne
縮suo1to withdraw, to shrink, to pull back; abbreviation
樎
蹜
摍
鏥
Words Containing This Character20
宿舍sùshèdormitory
宿sùold
住宿zhùsùto stay at
归宿guīsùhome歸宿
寄宿to stay
宿主host
露宿to sleep outdoors
食宿shísùboard and lodging
宿命karma
留宿to put up a guest
借宿to stay with sb
宿敌old enemy宿敵
宿营to camp宿營
宿营地camp宿營地
宿怨an old grudge
投宿to lodge
宿迁Suqian prefecture level city in Jiangsu宿遷
星宿constellation (arch., now 星座)
宿州Suzhou prefecture level city in Anhui
宿州市Suzhou prefecture level city in Anhui
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 缩 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 宿

It is pronounced as 'sù' with a falling tone.

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