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March 24, 2026
識shí(shi2)
識 (shí) refers to knowledge, understanding, or recognition. It is commonly used in contexts where one needs to demonstrate awareness or comprehension of a subject. This character often appears in phrases related to education, identification, and cognitive ability.
Strokes19Radical言Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
識 is often used in educational contexts, reflecting the high value placed on knowledge and learning in Chinese culture. The concept of 'knowing' is intertwined with respect for teachers and scholars.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise owl with glasses, representing knowledge, perched on a book. The top part of 識 resembles the owl's head, signifying wisdom, while the bottom part looks like an open book, indicating learning.
Meanings of 識
shí(shi2)
1knowledge; to understand, to recognize, to know
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 識
識Simplified
19Strokes
言Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 識
Podcast: 識
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AI Study Notes for 識
Quick Contrast
認 (rèn) vs 知 (zhī) — use 識 (shí) when emphasizing awareness or recognition rather than mere knowledge or understanding.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise owl with glasses, representing knowledge, perched on a book. The top part of 識 resembles the owl's head, signifying wisdom, while the bottom part looks like an open book, indicating learning.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone, as 識 is pronounced with a rising tone (shí), which can easily be confused with similar-sounding characters. It is typically used in more formal contexts, like academic discussions, and may appear in collocations such as 知識 (zhīshì, knowledge) and 辨識 (biànshí, recognition).
HSK Study Tips
While 識 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to learning and understanding. Focus on recognizing its components and practicing its usage in phrases to enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
識 is often used in educational contexts, reflecting the high value placed on knowledge and learning in Chinese culture. The concept of 'knowing' is intertwined with respect for teachers and scholars.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 識 (shí) with 识 (shì), which has a different meaning. For example, saying '我識中文' (wǒ shí zhōngwén) instead of '我知道中文' (wǒ zhīdào zhōngwén) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 識
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Cultural Notes for 識
🏮Cultural insight
識 is often used in educational contexts, reflecting the high value placed on knowledge and learning in Chinese culture. The concept of 'knowing' is intertwined with respect for teachers and scholars.
Word Family of 識
Words Containing This Character20
认识rènshito know認識
意识yìshíconsciousness意識
知识zhīshiknowledge知識
见识jiànshiknowledge見識
知识产权intellectual property rights (law)知識產權
识别shíbiéto distinguish識別
识shíto know識
共识gòngshíconsensus共識
标识sign標識
知识分子zhīshifènzǐintellectual知識分子
常识chángshícommon sense常識
相识xiāngshíacquaintance相識
潜意识unconscious mind潛意識
结识jiéshíto get to know sb結識
意识形态ideology意識形態
识字shízìto learn to read識字
下意识xiàyìshísubconscious mind下意識
有意识conscious有意識
识破to penetrate識破
似曾相识sìcéngxiāngshíseemingly familiar似曾相識
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 认识 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 識
It is pronounced with a rising tone: shí.
It's generally used in formal contexts; in casual speech, simpler terms like 知道 (zhīdào) may be preferred.
Common phrases include 知識 (zhīshì, knowledge) and 辨識 (biànshí, to recognize).
