Meanings of 屍
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About 屍
Podcast: 屍
Podcast: 屍
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AI Study Notes for 屍
尸体 (shītǐ) vs 屍 (shī) — 屍 (shī) is more formal and literary, while 屍体 (shītǐ) is a more common and neutral term for a corpse.
While 屍 is a more formal term, it is often used in conjunction with other words like 屍體 (shītǐ), meaning 'corpse' or 'dead body.' Learners should avoid using this term in casual conversation, as it may come off as too morbid. Additionally, be careful with the tone, ensuring to use the first tone (shī).
Although 屍 is not part of the standard HSK levels, it can be associated with topics in HSK 4 and above that involve discussions about life and death. Students should focus on the context in which this word appears, particularly in literature or historical texts.
Learners often confuse 屍 with other similar-sounding words. For example, using 死 (sǐ) instead of 屍 to refer to a corpse is incorrect; 死 means 'to die' rather than 'corpse.' Always use 屍 when specifically talking about a dead body.
Pronunciation of 屍
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Etymology of 屍
Pictograph of a bent-over human.
A dead 死 body 尸; 尸 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 屍
Pictograph of a bent-over human.
- 1The giveawayA dead 死 body 尸; 尸 also provides the pronunciation
- 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 屍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 屍
Identify the Components
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How to say body, corpse in Chinese
“body, corpse” in Chinese is屍
The character 屍 (shī) refers specifically to a corpse or dead body. It is often used in formal or literary contexts, such as in discussions about death, funerals, or in literature and horror genres. This term carries a somber connotation and is less commonly used in everyday conversation.
When to use 屍
While 屍 is a more formal term, it is often used in conjunction with other words like 屍體 (shītǐ), meaning 'corpse' or 'dead body.' Learners should avoid using this term in casual conversation, as it may come off as too morbid. Additionally, be careful with the tone, ensuring to use the first tone (shī).
屍 or something close to it
尸体 (shītǐ) vs 屍 (shī) — 屍 (shī) is more formal and literary, while 屍体 (shītǐ) is a more common and neutral term for a corpse.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 屍 with other similar-sounding words. For example, using 死 (sǐ) instead of 屍 to refer to a corpse is incorrect; 死 means 'to die' rather than 'corpse.' Always use 屍 when specifically talking about a dead body.
Write 屍
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Practice writing 屍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 屍
Compound Meaning
What does 尸体 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 屍
No, 屍 is a formal term and is usually reserved for literary or serious contexts.
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