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屙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
ēto defecateg, 10 strokes, radical 尸, Very Hard
ē(e1) T1
  1. 1to defecate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
ē(e1)

The character 屙 (ē) specifically refers to the act of defecating. It is often used in informal or colloquial contexts and may carry a humorous or crude connotation. This term is less common in formal language, where more polite expressions are preferred.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about bodily functions can be quite taboo, hence 屙 is often avoided in polite conversations. However, it reflects a more relaxed attitude towards natural human processes in casual settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cartoon character squatting down in a funny pose, with the sound 'ē' echoing as they let out a sigh of relief. The character 屙 looks like a person in a low position, emphasizing the action of defecation.

Meanings of 屙

ē(e1)
1to defecate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 屙

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 屙

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 屙

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a cartoon character squatting down in a funny pose, with the sound 'ē' echoing as they let out a sigh of relief. The character 屙 looks like a person in a low position, emphasizing the action of defecation.

Usage Notes

Learners should be cautious about using 屙 in formal settings, as it can be considered vulgar or overly casual. Common collocations include phrases related to bodily functions, but using this word in polite conversation may lead to awkwardness.

HSK Study Tips

While 屙 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding this word can help learners grasp informal speech patterns. Students should focus on recognizing its informal usage and alternative, more polite terms for discussing bodily functions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about bodily functions can be quite taboo, hence 屙 is often avoided in polite conversations. However, it reflects a more relaxed attitude towards natural human processes in casual settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 屙 with the more general term for 'to go to the bathroom' (上厕所). A common mistake is using 屙 in formal conversations, which can lead to embarrassment; instead, use polite expressions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 屙

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Etymology of 屙

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

body

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 屙?

Decomposition of 屙

IDS Structure⿸尸阿
Full Character
=
shi1
enclosing
A1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 屙?

Write 屙

Practice writing 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 屙

屙 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

你可以在乡间小路上看到刚____下不久的水牛粪.

You can see the fresh buffalo dung on the country road.

Example Sentences for 屙 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你可以在乡间小路上看到刚屙下不久的水牛粪.

nǐ kě yǐ zài xiāng jiān xiǎo lù shàng kàn dào gāng ē xià bù jiǔ de shuǐ niú fèn.

You can see the fresh buffalo dung on the country road.

Cultural Notes for 屙

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions about bodily functions can be quite taboo, hence 屙 is often avoided in polite conversations. However, it reflects a more relaxed attitude towards natural human processes in casual settings.

Word Family of 屙

Words Containing This Character1
ēto defecate
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 屙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 屙

No, 屙 is considered informal and somewhat vulgar; it's best used among close friends or in humorous contexts.