HSK 5, a, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2551, Medium
湿
shī
moist
HSK 5, a, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2551, Medium
湿
shī
wet
HSK 5, a, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2551, Medium
湿
shī
wet, moist, humid, damp; illness
HSK 5, a, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #2551, Medium
shī(shi1) T1
1>湿[shī]
2moist
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March 24, 2026
湿(溼)shī(shi1)
The character 湿 (shī) means 'wet' or 'moist' and is commonly used to describe conditions involving water or humidity. It can refer to physical states, such as damp clothing or a humid environment, and is also used in medical contexts to describe illnesses associated with moisture.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#2551DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humidity is often associated with traditional beliefs about health, where excess moisture can lead to illnesses known as '湿邪,' believed to disrupt the body's balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wet sponge—when you squeeze it, water drips out, symbolizing the meaning of 湿 (shī). The character has the water radical氵 on the left, reinforcing the concept of wetness, and the right part (湿) looks like droplets falling down.
Meanings of 湿
shī(shi1)
1moist
2wet
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 湿
湿Simplified
溼Traditional
12Strokes
氵Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2551Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 湿
Podcast: 湿
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AI Study Notes for 湿
Quick Contrast
湿 (shī) vs 潮 (cháo) — use 湿 for general wetness, while 潮 refers specifically to tidal or damp conditions.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wet sponge—when you squeeze it, water drips out, symbolizing the meaning of 湿 (shī). The character has the water radical氵 on the left, reinforcing the concept of wetness, and the right part (湿) looks like droplets falling down.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 湿 (shī) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 失 (shī), which means 'to lose.' It's often used in both formal and informal contexts, but specific phrases like '湿气' (shīqì - humidity) are more common in everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 湿 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for HSK 3 learners as they begin to describe environmental conditions. Focus on its usage in phrases related to weather and health to enhance vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humidity is often associated with traditional beliefs about health, where excess moisture can lead to illnesses known as '湿邪,' believed to disrupt the body's balance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 湿 (shī) with 失 (shī), leading to incorrect usage in sentences like '我今天失' (Wǒ jīntiān shī - intending to say 'I am wet today'). The correct form should be '我今天湿' (Wǒ jīntiān shī).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 湿
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Grammar Patterns of 湿
湿 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 4 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.
My clothes were already soaked by the rain, so I just closed my umbrella and walked in the rain.
Common Confusions with 湿
湿vs濕
shī
Same pronunciation and meaning, but different character form.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "moist"?
or
Example Sentences for 湿 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
外面的空气沉滞、潮湿而闷热。
wài miàn de kōng qì chén zhì、 、 cháo shī ér mèn。
The outside air was heavy and moist and sultry.
2
如果潮湿发霉的建筑令你生病了，霉菌很可能是病因。
rú guǒ cháo shī fā méi de jiàn zhù líng nǐ shēng bìng le， ， méi jūn hěn kě néng shì bìng。
If damp, musty buildings make you ill, mould is probably the cause.
3
在一只盆里放上水，轻轻地用蘸湿的海绵擦拭你的面部及身体。
zài yī zhī pén lǐ fàng shàng shuǐ， ， qīng qīng dì yòng zhàn shī de hǎi mián cā shì nǐ de miàn bù jí shēn。
Fill a bowl with water and gently sponge your face and body.
4
这片潮湿地区也吸引了青蛙、蟾蜍和蝾螈一类的生物。
zhè piàn cháo shī dì qū yě xī yǐn le qīng wā、 、 chán chú hé róng yuán yī lèi de shēng。
This wet area also attracts frogs, toads and newts.
5
湿疹是一种常见的皮肤病，通常具遗传性。
shī zhěn shì yī zhǒng cháng jiàn de pí fū bìng， ， tōng cháng jù yí chuán。
Eczema is a common skin complaint which often runs in families.
6
詹姆斯从卧室出来，用毛巾擦着他湿漉漉的头发。
zhān mǔ sī cóng wò shì chū lái， ， yòng máo jīn cā zháo tā shī lù lù de tóu。
James came out of his bedroom, toweling his wet hair.
7
我染上了急性风湿，卧病在床。
wǒ rǎn shàng le jí xìng fēng shī， ， wò bìng zài。
I was laid up in bed with acute rheumatism.
8
有一些湿地在古代就形成了。
yǒu yī xiē shī dì zài gǔ dài jiù xíng chéng le。
There are some areas of wetland which are of ancient origin.
9
路上不时会有吹聚起的积雪，泥泞而湿滑。
lù shàng bù shí huì yǒu chuī jù qǐ de jī xuě， ， ní nìng ér shī。
Here and there a drift across the road was wet and slushy.
10
有潮湿的木料和机油的气味。
yǒu cháo shī de mù liào hé jī yóu de qì wèi。
There was a smell of damp wood and machine oil.
Cultural Notes for 湿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, humidity is often associated with traditional beliefs about health, where excess moisture can lead to illnesses known as '湿邪,' believed to disrupt the body's balance.
Word Family of 湿
Words Containing This Character20
湿shīmoist濕
潮湿cháoshīdamp潮濕
湿地wetland濕地
湿度shīdùhumidity level濕度
湿润shīrùnmoist濕潤
湿漉漉damp濕漉漉
风湿rheumatism風濕
湿疹eczema濕疹
浸湿to soak浸濕
湿透drenched濕透
湿气moisture濕氣
淋湿to get soaked淋濕
尿不湿(coll.) disposable diaper尿不濕
风湿热rheumatic fever風濕熱
润湿to wet潤濕
加湿器humidifier加濕器
阴湿dark and moist陰濕
吸湿to absorb吸濕
沾湿to moisten沾濕
湿婆Shiva (Hindu deity)濕婆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 湿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 湿
You can say '今天很湿' (Jīntiān hěn shī) which means 'Today is very wet.'
The opposite of 湿 is 干 (gān), which means 'dry.'
Yes, 湿 can describe food that is moist, like '湿蛋糕' (shī dàn'gāo) meaning 'moist cake.'
