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谥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
谥shìposthumous name or titlevg, 12 strokes, radical 讠, rank #67170, Very Hard
谥shìsmiling faceunknown, 12 strokes, radical 讠, rank #67170, Very Hard
谥shìto confer a posthumous titleunknown, 12 strokes, radical 讠, rank #67170, Very Hard
谥yìposthumous name or titlevg, 12 strokes, radical 讠, rank #67170, Very Hard
谥yìsmiling faceunknown, 12 strokes, radical 讠, rank #67170, Very Hard
谥yìto confer a posthumous titleunknown, 12 strokes, radical 讠, rank #67170, Very Hard
shì(shi4)
primary
T4
  1. 1posthumous name or title
  2. 2smiling face
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

谥(諡)shì(shi4)

The character 谥 (shì) refers to a posthumous name or title given to a deceased person, often used in historical contexts to honor their virtues or achievements. It reflects the Chinese practice of conferring respect and memorializing individuals after their death, usually seen in dynastic histories and literature.

Strokes12Radical讠Frequency#67170DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the practice of giving a posthumous name is deeply rooted in Confucian values, emphasizing respect for ancestors and the importance of legacy. Famous historical figures often have elaborate posthumous titles that reflect their lives and contributions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise elder smiling in a ceremonial robe, receiving a special title after their passing. The character 谥 combines the radical for speech (言) and the concept of memory, symbolizing how words are used to honor the deceased.

Meanings of 谥

shì(shi4)
primary
1posthumous name or title
2smiling face
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 谥

谥Simplified
諡Traditional
12Strokes
讠Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 谥

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Podcast: 谥

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 谥

Usage Notes

This term is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in historical discussions or literature. A common mistake is to confuse it with other honorifics or titles, so remember that 谥 specifically pertains to posthumous recognition. Be cautious with pronunciation, ensuring the right tone to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 谥 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes found in HSK Level 5 material, such as historical narratives and cultural practices. Students should focus on understanding its usage in context, especially in classical texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 谥 with the word for 'title' (称号, chēnghào), using it inappropriately in contexts that don't involve posthumous recognition. Remember, 谥 specifically relates to names given after death.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谥

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Etymology of 谥

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)讠
+
Phonetic (sound)益
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 谥

  1. 1The meaning half讠 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half益 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayspeech
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 谥? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 谥?

Decomposition of 谥

IDS Structure⿰讠益
谥Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
益Yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 谥?

How to say posthumous name or title in Chinese

“posthumous name or title” in Chinese is谥shì

The character 谥 (shì) refers to a posthumous name or title given to a deceased person, often used in historical contexts to honor their virtues or achievements. It reflects the Chinese practice of conferring respect and memorializing individuals after their death, usually seen in dynastic histories and literature.

When to use 谥

This term is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in historical discussions or literature. A common mistake is to confuse it with other honorifics or titles, so remember that 谥 specifically pertains to posthumous recognition. Be cautious with pronunciation, ensuring the right tone to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 谥 with the word for 'title' (称号, chēnghào), using it inappropriately in contexts that don't involve posthumous recognition. Remember, 谥 specifically relates to names given after death.

Write 谥

谥

Practice writing 谥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 谥

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, posthumous recognition often takes the form of awards or memorials, but it may lack the specific cultural practice of bestowing a formal title that encapsulates one's virtues.

Word Family of 谥

Words Containing This Character1
谥shìposthumous name or title諡
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 谥 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 谥

A posthumous name signifies respect and honor for the individual's contributions and character, serving as a lasting legacy.

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