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March 24, 2026
饰(飾)shì(shi4)
The character 饰 (shì) primarily means 'to decorate' or 'to adorn,' often used in contexts involving embellishments in art, fashion, or home decor. It can also imply concealing a fault or playing a role, as in theatrical performances, highlighting its dual nature of both beautification and disguise.
Strokes8Radical饣Frequency#10082DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, decoration plays a significant role during festivals and celebrations, where homes are adorned with red and gold items symbolizing good fortune, making 饰 a relevant term in the context of cultural aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Think of 饰 as a shiny ornament (the radical '衣' resembles clothing or decoration) that you wear to enhance your appearance. Imagine putting on a beautiful dress (饰) that hides any flaws and makes you feel like a star on stage.
Meanings of 饰
shì(shi4)
1decoration
2ornament
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 饰
饰Simplified
飾Traditional
8Strokes
饣Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10082Frequency Rank
Podcast: 饰
Podcast: 饰
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AI Study Notes for 饰
Quick Contrast
装 (zhuāng) - use 饰 (shì) when emphasizing decoration or adornment, while 装 (zhuāng) leans more towards the act of dressing up or pretending.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 饰 as a shiny ornament (the radical '衣' resembles clothing or decoration) that you wear to enhance your appearance. Imagine putting on a beautiful dress (饰) that hides any flaws and makes you feel like a star on stage.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 饰 with other similar-sounding verbs. It is more commonly used in formal contexts when discussing design or performance. Common collocations include 饰品 (shìpǐn - decorative items) and 饰演 (shìyǎn - to perform a role).
HSK Study Tips
While 饰 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to related words like 装饰 (zhuāngshì - decoration) and 表演 (biǎoyǎn - performance), which are found in lower levels. Focus on how 饰 is used in different contexts, including art and theater.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, decoration plays a significant role during festivals and celebrations, where homes are adorned with red and gold items symbolizing good fortune, making 饰 a relevant term in the context of cultural aesthetics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 饰 with similar characters like 装. For example, saying '我喜欢装这个房间' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhuāng zhège fángjiān) instead of '我喜欢饰这个房间' is incorrect, as 装 means 'to install' rather than 'to decorate.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饰
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Grammar Patterns of 饰
饰 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
无论你如何粉____，银行就是为了放贷而生的。
However you dress it up, a bank only exists to lend money.
Common Confusions with 饰
饰vs仕
shì
Same pronunciation but different meaning and context.
饰vs识
shí
Similar pronunciation but different meaning and usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "decoration"?
or
Example Sentences for 饰 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
无论你如何粉饰，银行就是为了放贷而生的。
wú lùn nǐ rú hé fěn shì， ， yín háng jiù shì wéi le fàng dài ér shēng。
However you dress it up, a bank only exists to lend money.
2
墙上唯一的装饰是几支蜡烛和一面镜子。
qiáng shàng wéi yī de zhuāng shì shì jī zhī là zhú hé yī miàn jìng zǐ。
The only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror.
3
精心搭配的室内装饰似乎已不再受欢迎了。
jīng xīn dā pèi de shì nèi zhuāng shì sì hū yǐ bù zài shòu huān yíng le。
Interior decoration by careful coordination seems to have had its day.
We put up the decorations and the tree and started to feel Christmassy at last.
Cultural Notes for 饰
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, decoration plays a significant role during festivals and celebrations, where homes are adorned with red and gold items symbolizing good fortune, making 饰 a relevant term in the context of cultural aesthetics.
Word Family of 饰
Words Containing This Character20
装饰zhuāngshìto decorate裝飾
掩饰yǎnshìto cover up掩飾
服饰fúshìapparel服飾
饰shìdecoration飾
首饰shǒushìjewelry首飾
饰演to act飾演
饰品ornament飾品
修饰to decorate修飾
装饰品ornament裝飾品
配饰decorations配飾
内饰interior decor內飾
饰物decorations飾物
头饰head ornament頭飾
粉饰to paint粉飾
衣饰clothes and ornaments衣飾
花饰ornament花飾
纹饰figure紋飾
金饰gold ornaments金飾
雕饰to carve雕飾
饰面veneer飾面
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 装饰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 饰
You can say '她的家装饰得很漂亮' (Tā de jiā zhuāngshì dé hěn piàoliang), which means 'Her house is beautifully decorated.'
No, 饰 can also refer to metaphorical decoration, such as hiding flaws or playing roles in performances.
饰 is a verb meaning 'to decorate,' while 装饰 (zhuāngshì) is a noun meaning 'decoration' or 'ornamentation.'
