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March 24, 2026
薪xīn(xin1)
The character 薪 (xīn) primarily means 'salary' or 'wages,' referring to the compensation one earns for work. It can also denote 'fuel' or 'firewood,' particularly in contexts related to heating or cooking. This dual meaning reflects both economic and practical aspects of daily life in China.
Strokes16Radical艹Frequency#8955DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of salary is closely tied to traditional values of hard work and reward. The phrase '薪水水涨船高' (xīnshuǐ shuǐzhǎng chuán gāo) translates to 'as the salary rises, so does the boat,' reflecting the expectation that better pay leads to improved living conditions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pile of firewood (the radical for plants, 营, is related) stacked next to a stack of coins representing your salary. The sound 'xīn' can be remembered by associating it with 'shin,' as in the shin of your leg can remind you of standing on your earnings.
Meanings of 薪
xīn(xin1)
1fuel
2salary
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 薪
薪Simplified
16Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8955Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 薪
Podcast: 薪
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AI Study Notes for 薪
Quick Contrast
薪 (salary) vs 工资 (wages) — use 薪 for a more formal or traditional context, while 工资 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pile of firewood (the radical for plants, 营, is related) stacked next to a stack of coins representing your salary. The sound 'xīn' can be remembered by associating it with 'shin,' as in the shin of your leg can remind you of standing on your earnings.
Usage Notes
薪 is often used in formal contexts when discussing salary, such as in employment contracts or financial reports. Common collocations include '薪水' (xīnshuǐ - salary) and '薪资' (xīnzī - wage). Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone), which can be confused with other words if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 薪 is not currently on the HSK list, it is beneficial for learners who wish to discuss employment and finance. Students should focus on using this term in sentences related to job discussions or financial matters to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of salary is closely tied to traditional values of hard work and reward. The phrase '薪水水涨船高' (xīnshuǐ shuǐzhǎng chuán gāo) translates to 'as the salary rises, so does the boat,' reflecting the expectation that better pay leads to improved living conditions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 薪 with other similar-sounding words, such as 心 (xīn - heart). For example, saying '我有很多心' (wǒ yǒu hěn duō xīn - I have a lot of heart) instead of '我有很多薪' (wǒ yǒu hěn duō xīn - I have a lot of salary) can change the meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 薪
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Grammar Patterns of 薪
薪 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Women have yet to achieve wage or occupational parity in many fields.
10
除了每周的薪水外，我还能得到不少小费。
chú le měi zhōu de xīn shuǐ wài， ， wǒ huán néng dé dào bù shǎo xiǎo。
In addition to my weekly wage, I got a lot of tips.
Cultural Notes for 薪
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of salary is closely tied to traditional values of hard work and reward. The phrase '薪水水涨船高' (xīnshuǐ shuǐzhǎng chuán gāo) translates to 'as the salary rises, so does the boat,' reflecting the expectation that better pay leads to improved living conditions.
Word Family of 薪
Words Containing This Character20
薪水xīnshuisalary
薪xīnfuel
年薪niánxīnannual salary
月薪monthly income (in kind)
加薪to raise salary
高薪high salary
薪金salary
工薪阶层salaried class工薪階層
欠薪to owe wages
杯水车薪lit. a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood (idiom); fig. an utterly inadequate measure杯水車薪
卧薪尝胆fig. to maintain one's resolve for revenge臥薪嘗膽
底薪basic salary
周薪weekly salary週薪
薪资salary薪資
釜底抽薪to pull the carpet from under sb
停薪留职leave of absence without pay停薪留職
工薪族salaried class
薪俸salary
减薪to cut wages減薪
发薪to pay wages or salary發薪
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 薪水 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 薪
You can say, '我的薪水很高' (wǒ de xīnshuǐ hěn gāo) meaning 'My salary is very high.'
薪水 (xīnshuǐ) is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while 薪资 (xīnzī) is often used in formal contexts or documents.
Yes, another common word for salary is 工资 (gōngzī), which is often used interchangeably with 薪.
