unknown, 8 strokes, radical 饣, rank #51117, Very Hard
sì(si4) T4
1to raise
2to rear
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March 24, 2026
饲(飤)sì(si4)
The character 饲 (sì) refers to the act of raising or feeding animals, such as livestock or pets. It encompasses the broader meaning of nourishing or providing for living beings, particularly in agricultural contexts. This term is commonly used in discussions about animal husbandry and care.
Strokes8Radical饣Frequency#51117DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In rural China, the practice of 饲 (raising and feeding animals) is integral to traditional agriculture and food production, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in Chinese culture and cuisine.
Memory Tip
Think of a farmer (the radical 饣, related to food) feeding animals (the character itself) with the sound 'sì' resembling the sound of a whistle calling animals. Visualize a farmer whistling to his animals while providing them food, reinforcing the connection between feeding and the character.
Meanings of 饲
sì(si4)
1to raise
2to rear
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 饲
饲Simplified
飤Traditional
8Strokes
饣Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#51117Frequency Rank
Podcast: 饲
Podcast: 饲
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AI Study Notes for 饲
Quick Contrast
饲 (sì, to feed) vs 养 (yǎng, to raise) — use 饲 specifically for feeding animals, while 养 refers more broadly to raising and caring for them.
Usage Notes
饲 is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in agriculture or veterinary discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters like 飼 (sì), which has a related but distinct meaning. Pay attention to the tone as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 饲 is not listed in HSK, students at this level should focus on vocabulary related to animals and food, as they often appear in daily conversation. Understanding 饲 can enhance comprehension of phrases discussing animal care and dietary practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 饲 with 飼, mistakenly using them interchangeably in sentences about feeding animals. For example, saying '我饲我的狗' is incorrect; it should be '我飼我的狗'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饲
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Phonosemantic compound. 饣 represents the meaning and 司 represents the sound. Simplified form of 飼.
1The meaning half饣 carries the sense.
2The sound half司 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfood
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 饲? 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 饲?
Decomposition of 饲
IDS Structure⿰饣司
饲Full Character
=
饣shi2
left
司Si1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 饲?
How to say to raise in Chinese
“to raise” in Chinese is饲sì
The character 饲 (sì) refers to the act of raising or feeding animals, such as livestock or pets. It encompasses the broader meaning of nourishing or providing for living beings, particularly in agricultural contexts. This term is commonly used in discussions about animal husbandry and care.
When to use 饲
饲 is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in agriculture or veterinary discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters like 飼 (sì), which has a related but distinct meaning. Pay attention to the tone as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
饲 or something close to it
饲 (sì, to feed) vs 养 (yǎng, to raise) — use 饲 specifically for feeding animals, while 养 refers more broadly to raising and caring for them.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 饲 with 飼, mistakenly using them interchangeably in sentences about feeding animals. For example, saying '我饲我的狗' is incorrect; it should be '我飼我的狗'.
Write 饲
饲
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Practice writing 饲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 饲
饲 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 6 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
他在准备____料, 把它切碎,拌好.
He was preparing fodder, chopping finely and mixing thoroughly.
Example Sentences for 饲 (9)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他在准备饲料, 把它切碎,拌好.
tā zài zhǔn bèi sì liào, , bǎ tā qiē, suì ,.
He was preparing fodder, chopping finely and mixing thoroughly.
2
他们都是多产的饲养员，养的母鸡很多都可以下6个蛋之多。
tā mén dū shì duō chǎn de sì yǎng yuán， ， yǎng de mǔ jī hěn duō dū kě yǐ6 xià 6 gè dàn。
They are prolific breeders, with many hens laying up to six eggs.
