Meanings of 筮
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About 筮
Podcast: 筮
Podcast: 筮
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AI Study Notes for 筮
This term is mainly used in formal or literary contexts related to divination and is less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the tone; the fourth tone (shì) is crucial to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '筮法' (shìfǎ - divination method) and '筮竹' (shìzhú - divining stalks).
Though not part of any HSK level, understanding 筮 can enhance your grasp of traditional Chinese culture and literature. It can also connect with other divination-related terms in Chinese, such as 卜 (bǔ - to divine), enriching your vocabulary in this thematic area.
Learners often confuse 筮 with similar-sounding words like 是 (shì - to be), leading to misunderstandings. Remember that 筮 specifically relates to divination, whereas 是 is a basic verb for existence or identity.
Pronunciation of 筮
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Etymology of 筮
divining rod
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 筮
- 1The meaning half巫 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half⺮ is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaydivining rod
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
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.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 筮
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How to say divination using the stalks of plants; divining rod in Chinese
“divination using the stalks of plants; divining rod” in Chinese is筮
The character 筮 (shì) refers to the practice of divination using the stalks of plants, particularly in traditional Chinese cultural contexts. It often involves the use of yarrow stalks as a tool for gaining insight or guidance, commonly associated with ancient Chinese practices such as I Ching (the Book of Changes). In contemporary usage, it may also refer more broadly to methods of fortune-telling or seeking knowledge about the future.
When to use 筮
This term is mainly used in formal or literary contexts related to divination and is less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the tone; the fourth tone (shì) is crucial to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '筮法' (shìfǎ - divination method) and '筮竹' (shìzhú - divining stalks).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 筮 with similar-sounding words like 是 (shì - to be), leading to misunderstandings. Remember that 筮 specifically relates to divination, whereas 是 is a basic verb for existence or identity.
Write 筮
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Practice writing 筮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 筮
Compound Meaning
What does 筮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 筮
In modern contexts, 筮 can refer to fortune-telling or methods of seeking guidance, but it primarily retains its ties to traditional practices.
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