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March 24, 2026
硕(碩)shuò(shuo4)
The character 硕 (shuò) primarily means 'large' or 'great.' It is often used to describe something of significant size or importance, such as in academic contexts to refer to a master's degree (硕士, shuòshì). The character conveys a sense of prominence and excellence.
Strokes11Radical石Frequency#24736DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The term 硕士 is a key component of the Chinese education system, representing a higher level of academic achievement that is highly regarded in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant stone (the radical 石 represents stone) that is not just big but also significant, like a monumental statue. The pronunciation 'shuò' can be remembered by associating it with the phrase 'show off,' as something large often attracts attention.
Meanings of 硕
shuò(shuo4)
1large
2big
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 硕
硕Simplified
碩Traditional
11Strokes
石Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#24736Frequency Rank
Podcast: 硕
Podcast: 硕
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AI Study Notes for 硕
Quick Contrast
硕 (large, great) vs 大 (big) — use 硕 for emphasis on significance or importance, while 大 is more general.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 硕 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It’s more formal and typically used in academic or literary contexts. Common collocations include 硕士 (master's degree) and 硕果 (large fruit).
HSK Study Tips
Although 硕 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK words related to education and size, like 大 (big) and 学 (study). Focus on understanding how it is used in compound words, particularly in academic settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 硕 with 大 (dà), both meaning 'big,' but 硕 emphasizes significance rather than just size. For example, saying '硕苹果' (shuò píngguǒ) instead of '大苹果' (dà píngguǒ) is incorrect, as it changes the nuance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 硕
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The character 硕 (shuò) primarily means 'large' or 'great.' It is often used to describe something of significant size or importance, such as in academic contexts to refer to a master's degree (硕士, shuòshì). The character conveys a sense of prominence and excellence.
When to use 硕
Be careful not to confuse 硕 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It’s more formal and typically used in academic or literary contexts. Common collocations include 硕士 (master's degree) and 硕果 (large fruit).
硕 or something close to it
硕 (large, great) vs 大 (big) — use 硕 for emphasis on significance or importance, while 大 is more general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 硕 with 大 (dà), both meaning 'big,' but 硕 emphasizes significance rather than just size. For example, saying '硕苹果' (shuò píngguǒ) instead of '大苹果' (dà píngguǒ) is incorrect, as it changes the nuance.
Write 硕
硕
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Practice writing 硕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 硕
硕 carries 3 distinct meanings. 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她用薄薄的黑色织物裹住了自己____大的身躯。
She swathed her enormous body in thin black fabrics.
Common Confusions with 硕
硕vs妥
tuǒ
Different meanings but similar structural appearance.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “large”?
or
Usage Notes for 硕
Misuse in ContextCommon Error
The character 硕 is often misused in contexts where 'big' is not the appropriate connotation. Ensure it matches the context of greatness or eminence.
1
这是一块硕大的石头。
This is a large stone.
Exercise 1 of 1
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这是一块____大的石头。
This is a large stone.
Example Sentences for 硕 (6)
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1
她用薄薄的黑色织物裹住了自己硕大的身躯。
tā yòng báo báo de hēi sè zhī wù guǒ zhù le zì jǐ shuò dà de shēn qū。
She swathed her enormous body in thin black fabrics.
2
我拿文科硕士学位其实就是觉得好玩儿。
wǒ ná wén kē shuò shì xué wèi qí shí jiù shì jué dé hǎo wán ér。
I took my M. A. just for fun really.
3
拉弗蒂是1988年红极一时的爱尔兰队硕果仅存的球员。
lā fú dì shì1988 1988 nián hóng jí yī shí de ài ěr lán duì shuò guǒ jǐn cún de qiú。
Rafferty was the sole survivor from the successful Ireland team of
4
他健硕的身体使他显得意志尤为坚强。
tā jiàn shuò de shēn tǐ shǐ tā xiǎn dé yì zhì yóu wéi jiān qiáng。
His hard sinewy body advertised his ruthlessness of purpose.
5
我的目光恰好又落在她那块表盘硕大无朋 、 宛如计秒器的手表上.
wǒ de mù guāng qià hǎo yòu luò zài tā nà kuài biǎo pán shuò dà wú péng、 、 wǎn rú jì miǎo qì de shǒu biǎo.
I happened to be looking at her enormous - faced, chronographic - looking wrist - watch again.
By 2040 , cabernet sauvignon will flourish where Riesling does now.
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Word Family of 硕
Words Containing This Character14
硕士shuòshìmaster's degree碩士
硕shuòlarge碩
硕大big碩大
丰硕fēngshuòplentiful豐碩
硕果shuòguǒgreat work碩果
华硕Asus (computer manufacturer)華碩
硕士生Master's degree student碩士生
健硕well-built (physique)健碩
肥硕plump肥碩
硕果累累heavily laden with fruit碩果累累
硕果仅存only remaining of the great (idiom); one of the few greats extant碩果僅存
和硕Hoxud county, Xoshut nahiyisi or Heshuo county in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[BāyīnguōléngMěnggǔZìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang和碩
硕大无朋immense碩大無朋
和硕县Hoxud or Heshuo county or Xoshut nahiyisi in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[BāyīnguōléngMěnggǔZìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang和碩縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 硕
What does 硕士 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 硕
Some synonyms for 硕 include '大' (dà), which also means big, and '巨' (jù), which means huge. Each of these words can convey a sense of largeness but may be used in different contexts.
While 硕 is not as commonly used in everyday conversation compared to simpler terms like 大 (dà), it appears in more formal contexts, particularly in academia or literature. Master’s level education and significant accomplishments are often described using this character.
硕 (shuò) means large or big in Chinese. It can also imply greatness or eminence when used in certain contexts, such as describing achievements or qualities. This character is often used in academic or formal settings to denote significance.
You can use 硕 to describe something that is large or significant. For example, you might say '硕大的苹果' (shuò dà de píngguǒ), which means 'a large apple'. It’s also used in phrases like '硕士' (shuòshì) meaning 'master's degree'.
It means 'large' or 'great,' often used to describe significant achievements or sizes.
You might say 硕士学位 (shuòshì xuéwèi) to refer to a master's degree.
While its primary meaning is 'large,' it can also imply eminence or importance.
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