sconcerned, involved; to experience; to wade through a stream
v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #15554, Very Hard
shè(she4) T4
1to wade
2to be involved
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March 24, 2026
涉shè(she4)
The character 涉 (shè) primarily means 'to wade' through water, but it also conveys the idea of being involved or concerned with something. It is often used in contexts involving experience or participation, emphasizing an active engagement with a subject or situation.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#15554DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, water has significant symbolic meanings related to flow and flexibility. The idea of wading through water can metaphorically represent navigating challenges or experiences in life, reflecting resilience and adaptability.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named 'She' who is wading through a stream, feeling the water flow around their legs. The character 涉 has the water radical (氵) on the left, hinting at its connection to water, while the right side suggests the action of entering or crossing.
Meanings of 涉
shè(she4)
1to wade
2to be involved
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 涉
涉Simplified
10Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#15554Frequency Rank
Podcast: 涉
Podcast: 涉
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AI Study Notes for 涉
Quick Contrast
涉 (shè) vs 参与 (cān yù) — use 涉 when emphasizing the act of wading or directly engaging with something, while 参与 focuses more on participation or involvement in a broader context.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 涉, as it can easily be confused with other similar-sounding words. It's more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, so ensure you're aware of the appropriate register. Common collocations include 涉及 (shèjí), meaning 'to involve' or 'to concern'.
HSK Study Tips
While 涉 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to words like 参与 (cānyù, 'to participate') and 关系 (guānxì, 'relationship') which are essential for understanding involvement in various contexts. Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 涉 with similar-sounding characters, leading to mispronunciation. For example, saying 'shé' instead of 'shè' can change the meaning entirely. Always remember the correct tone when using this character.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 涉
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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.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 涉?
Decomposition of 涉
IDS Structure⿰氵步
涉Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
步Bu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 涉?
How to say to wade in Chinese
“to wade” in Chinese is涉shè
The character 涉 (shè) primarily means 'to wade' through water, but it also conveys the idea of being involved or concerned with something. It is often used in contexts involving experience or participation, emphasizing an active engagement with a subject or situation.
When to use 涉
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 涉, as it can easily be confused with other similar-sounding words. It's more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, so ensure you're aware of the appropriate register. Common collocations include 涉及 (shèjí), meaning 'to involve' or 'to concern'.
涉 or something close to it
涉 (shè) vs 参与 (cān yù) — use 涉 when emphasizing the act of wading or directly engaging with something, while 参与 focuses more on participation or involvement in a broader context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 涉 with similar-sounding characters, leading to mispronunciation. For example, saying 'shé' instead of 'shè' can change the meaning entirely. Always remember the correct tone when using this character.
Write 涉
涉
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Practice writing 涉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 涉
涉 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 6 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.
