to absorb, to take in; to photograph; to act on behalf of
vg, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10006, Hard
shè(she4) T4
1to take in
2to absorb
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March 24, 2026
摄(攝)shè(she4)
The character 摄 (shè) primarily means 'to take in' or 'to absorb,' and it is commonly used in the context of photography, meaning 'to take a photo.' Additionally, it can refer to acting on behalf of someone or conserving health. This character is versatile and can be found in various contexts, from photography to discussions about health and representation.
Strokes13Radical扌Frequency#10006DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, photography has become increasingly popular with the rise of social media, and 摄影 (shèyǐng) refers specifically to photography as an art form. Understanding this character can enhance your comprehension of discussions about modern Chinese culture and social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a photographer ('shè') capturing a moment. The character 摄 combines the radical for 'hand' (扌) with elements that suggest taking or absorbing. Picture someone reaching out with their hand ('shè') to absorb the beauty around them as they take a photo.
Meanings of 摄
shè(she4)
1to take in
2to absorb
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 摄
摄Simplified
攝Traditional
13Strokes
扌Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#10006Frequency Rank
Podcast: 摄
Podcast: 摄
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AI Study Notes for 摄
Quick Contrast
摄 (shè) vs 拍 (pāi) — use 摄 when referring to taking in or absorbing something, especially in a broader context, while 拍 specifically refers to taking a photo or hitting.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a photographer ('shè') capturing a moment. The character 摄 combines the radical for 'hand' (扌) with elements that suggest taking or absorbing. Picture someone reaching out with their hand ('shè') to absorb the beauty around them as they take a photo.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 摄 with similar characters like 拍 (pāi), which specifically means 'to shoot' or 'to clap.' 摄 is more about the action of taking photos rather than the technique. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in conversations about photography.
HSK Study Tips
While 摄 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to Level 3 and 4 words like 拍 (pāi) and 照片 (zhàopiàn), which means 'photo.' Students should focus on differentiating between the nuances of these words and practice using them in sentences related to visual media.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, photography has become increasingly popular with the rise of social media, and 摄影 (shèyǐng) refers specifically to photography as an art form. Understanding this character can enhance your comprehension of discussions about modern Chinese culture and social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 摄 with 采 (cǎi), which means 'to pick' or 'to gather.' For example, saying '我想采照片' (Wǒ xiǎng cǎi zhàopiàn) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我想摄照片.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 摄
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Grammar Patterns of 摄
摄 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 9 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.
The star's surface temperature is reckoned to be minus 75 degrees Celsius.
10
好莱坞的摄影师们有足够的理由可以自我吹嘘。
hǎo lái wù de shè yǐng shī mén yǒu zú gòu de lǐ yóu kě yǐ zì wǒ chuī xū。
Hollywood cameramen have good reason to blow their own trumpets.
Cultural Notes for 摄
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, photography has become increasingly popular with the rise of social media, and 摄影 (shèyǐng) refers specifically to photography as an art form. Understanding this character can enhance your comprehension of discussions about modern Chinese culture and social interactions.
Word Family of 摄
Words Containing This Character19
拍摄pāishèto film拍攝
摄shèto take in攝
摄影shèyǐngphotography攝影
摄影师shèyǐngshīphotographer攝影師
摄像机shèxiàngjīvideo camera攝像機
摄像头webcam攝像頭
摄像shèxiàngto videotape攝像
摄影机camera攝影機
摄氏度shèshìdù°C (degrees Celsius)攝氏度
摄入to take in攝入
摄影棚film studio攝影棚
摄取intake攝取
摄氏Celsius攝氏
摄制to produce (a TV show etc)攝製
摄影家photographer攝影家
摄入量intake (quantity)攝入量
摄政王regent攝政王
摄食to consume攝食
摄政to act as regent攝政
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 拍摄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 摄
摄 (shè) refers to the act of taking a photo or capturing an image, while 拍 (pāi) specifically means to shoot or snap a picture. Essentially, 摄 encompasses the broader concept of photography, while 拍 focuses on the action of taking the photo.
Yes, 摄 can be used metaphorically to describe the process of taking in or absorbing experiences or knowledge. For instance, one might say '他摄取了生活的精华' meaning 'He absorbs the essence of life.' This usage highlights its versatility beyond just photography.
摄 (shè) means to take in, absorb, or assimilate. It is commonly used in the context of photography, meaning 'to take a photo' or 'photo shoot'. The character can also imply acting on behalf of someone or something.
You can use 摄 in sentences related to photography or capturing images. For example, '我喜欢摄影，今天我要去摄一些照片' which means 'I love photography, today I am going to take some photos.' You can also use it in contexts where you're absorbing information, like '他摄取了很多新的知识' meaning 'He absorbed a lot of new knowledge.'
You can say '我想摄照片' (Wǒ xiǎng shè zhàopiàn), which means 'I want to take a photo.'
No, 摄 can also mean to absorb or take in, like '摄取营养' (shèqǔ yíngyǎng), meaning 'to absorb nutrients.'
摄 is more general and can refer to taking photos or absorbing, while 拍 specifically conveys the action of shooting or clapping.
