unknown, 13 strokes, radical 虫, rank #33294, Very Hard
蜀
shǔ
one of the Three Kingdoms 三國|三国[San1 guo2] after the fall of the Han dynasty
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 虫, rank #33294, Very Hard
shǔ(Shu3) T3
1the name of an ancient state
2short name for Sichuan 四川[Si4 chuan1] province
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蜀shǔ(Shu3)
The character 蜀 (shǔ) refers to an ancient state that existed during the Three Kingdoms period in China, specifically in what is now Sichuan province. It is often used to denote the historical region and its significance in Chinese history, particularly after the Han dynasty's decline.
Strokes13Radical虫Frequency#33294DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
蜀 is closely tied to Sichuan cuisine, known for its bold flavors and use of Sichuan peppercorn, reflecting the culture and identity of the region. The history of the Shu Kingdom plays a significant role in many Chinese historical tales and folklore.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'shoo' (shǔ) shoe being worn in the lush, mountainous landscapes of Sichuan, where the ancient state of 蜀 thrived. The 蜀 character visually resembles a 'bug' (虫) under a 'roof' (阝), representing the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of Sichuan.
Meanings of 蜀
shǔ(Shu3)
1the name of an ancient state
2short name for Sichuan 四川[Si4 chuan1] province
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蜀
蜀Simplified
13Strokes
虫Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蜀
Podcast: 蜀
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AI Study Notes for 蜀
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'shoo' (shǔ) shoe being worn in the lush, mountainous landscapes of Sichuan, where the ancient state of 蜀 thrived. The 蜀 character visually resembles a 'bug' (虫) under a 'roof' (阝), representing the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of Sichuan.
Usage Notes
蜀 is primarily used in historical contexts or when discussing Sichuan province. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words, and remember that it is more formal than colloquial. Common collocations include 蜀汉 (Shǔ Hàn), referring to the Shu Han state.
HSK Study Tips
While 蜀 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, learners should connect it with related terms like 四川 (Sìchuān) and 三国 (Sānguó). Focusing on historical narratives can help in memorizing such proper nouns.
Cultural Note
蜀 is closely tied to Sichuan cuisine, known for its bold flavors and use of Sichuan peppercorn, reflecting the culture and identity of the region. The history of the Shu Kingdom plays a significant role in many Chinese historical tales and folklore.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蜀 with similar-sounding characters like 书 (shū, book) or 属 (shǔ, belong). For example, saying '我属蜀' (I belong to 蜀) instead of '我来自蜀' (I come from 蜀) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蜀
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Grammar Patterns of 蜀
蜀 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 1
Complete the Sentence
舟曲西 、 南部一度为____将姜维屯田的沓中地区.
Zhouqu West, the Southern will once Shu Jiang Da Dynasty's regions.
Example Sentences for 蜀 (1)
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1
舟曲西 、 南部一度为蜀将姜维屯田的沓中地区.
zhōu qū xī、 、 nán bù yī dù wéi shǔ jiāng jiāng wéi tún tián de tà zhōng dì.
Zhouqu West, the Southern will once Shu Jiang Da Dynasty's regions.
Cultural Notes for 蜀
🏮Cultural insight
蜀 is closely tied to Sichuan cuisine, known for its bold flavors and use of Sichuan peppercorn, reflecting the culture and identity of the region. The history of the Shu Kingdom plays a significant role in many Chinese historical tales and folklore.
Word Family of 蜀
Words Containing This Character11
蜀shǔshort name for Sichuan 四川[Sìchuān] province
蜀葵hollyhock
乐不思蜀indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty (idiom)樂不思蜀
蜀山Shushan district of Hefei city 合肥市[Héféishì], Anhui
玉蜀黍corn
巴蜀Sichuan
蜀汉Shu Han (c. 200-263), Liu Bei's kingdom in Sichuan during the Three Kingdoms, claiming legitimacy as successor of Han蜀漢
蜀山区Shushan district of Hefei city 合肥市[Héféishì], Anhui蜀山區
蜀锦brocade from Sichuan蜀錦
得陇望蜀fig. endless greed得隴望蜀
蜀犬吠日alludes to the Sichuan foggy weather where it's uncommon to see a sunny day
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蜀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蜀
In modern contexts, 蜀 often refers to Sichuan province, known for its rich culture and cuisine.
蜀 is pronounced as 'shǔ', with a rising tone.
It is more commonly used in historical references or when discussing Sichuan province rather than in daily conversation.
