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宿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宿sùsurname SuHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùnightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùlodge for the nightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùclassifier for nightsHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùoldHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùconstellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùformerHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùold variant of 宿[sù]HSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿sùold variant of 宿[su4]HSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔsurname SuHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔnightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔlodge for the nightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔclassifier for nightsHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔoldHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔconstellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔformerHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔold variant of 宿[sù]HSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiǔold variant of 宿[su4]HSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùsurname SuHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùnightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùlodge for the nightHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùclassifier for nightsHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùoldHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùconstellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùformerHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationHSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùold variant of 宿[sù]HSK 2, nr, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
宿xiùold variant of 宿[su4]HSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #4852, Easy
sù(su4)su
primary
T4
  1. 1surname Su
  2. 2night
Also a Chinese surname, Su — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

宿(㝛)sù(su4)

The character 宿 (sù) primarily refers to the concept of 'night' or 'lodging for the night.' It can also denote a place where one stops to rest, and is used in contexts related to constellations in astronomy. In addition, it has historical meanings connected to the idea of something old or former.

Strokes11Radical宀Frequency#4852DifficultyEasy
Cultural note

宿 is often found in terms related to traditional Chinese inns or hostels, reflecting the historical importance of hospitality in Chinese culture. The concept of lodging is crucial in the context of travel, especially in ancient China when long journeys required frequent overnight stays.

Memory tip

Think of 宿 as a cozy 'nest' (the roof radical 宀 above the character) where one 'stays' overnight. Visualize a bird settling down to sleep in its nest, symbolizing rest and night, while the 's' sound (宿) reminds you of 'snooze.'

Meanings of 宿

sù(su4)
primary
1night
2lodge for the night
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 宿 means.

About 宿

宿Simplified
㝛Traditional
11Strokes
宀Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4852Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2

Podcast: 宿

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Podcast: 宿

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AI study notes for 宿

Quick Contrast

宿 (sù) vs 住 (zhù) — use 宿 when referring specifically to lodging for the night, while 住 refers to the act of residing or living in a place.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 宿 with similar-sounding words like 速 (sù), which means 'fast.' 宿 is more commonly used in formal contexts or when discussing lodging, while in casual conversation, you might use simpler phrases like 'stay' or 'sleep.' Common collocations include 宿舍 (dormitory) and 住宿 (accommodation).

HSK Study Tips

Although 宿 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it is relevant for learners studying vocabulary related to travel and accommodation. Focus on the contexts where 宿 is used, such as in travel-related phrases or discussions about sleep and rest.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 宿 with the verb 住 (zhù), thinking they can interchange them. For example, saying '我在这里宿' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ sù) instead of '我在这里住' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ zhù) is incorrect; 宿 is not used as a verb for living in a place.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宿

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Etymology of 宿

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A person 亻 sleeping in a bed 百 under a roof 宀

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 宿?

Decomposition of 宿

IDS Structure⿱宀佰
宿Full character
=
宀gai4
top
佰bai3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 宿?

How to say surname Su in Chinese

“surname Su” in Chinese is宿sù

The character 宿 (sù) primarily refers to the concept of 'night' or 'lodging for the night.' It can also denote a place where one stops to rest, and is used in contexts related to constellations in astronomy. In addition, it has historical meanings connected to the idea of something old or former.

When to use 宿

Be careful not to confuse 宿 with similar-sounding words like 速 (sù), which means 'fast.' 宿 is more commonly used in formal contexts or when discussing lodging, while in casual conversation, you might use simpler phrases like 'stay' or 'sleep.' Common collocations include 宿舍 (dormitory) and 住宿 (accommodation).

宿 or something close to it

宿 (sù) vs 住 (zhù) — use 宿 when referring specifically to lodging for the night, while 住 refers to the act of residing or living in a place.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 宿 with the verb 住 (zhù), thinking they can interchange them. For example, saying '我在这里宿' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ sù) instead of '我在这里住' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ zhù) is incorrect; 宿 is not used as a verb for living in a place.

Write 宿

宿

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

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Grammar patterns of 宿

宿 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 10 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

住____免费——你只需付早餐和正餐的钱。

Accommodation is free — all you pay for is breakfast and dinner.

Example sentences for 宿 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
住宿免费——你只需付早餐和正餐的钱。

zhùsù miǎnfèi—— nǐ zhī xū fù zǎocān hé zhèng cān de qián。

Accommodation is free — all you pay for is breakfast and dinner.
2
这可以说是一场与宿敌你死我活的比赛。

zhè kěyǐ shuō shì yī chǎng yǔ sù dí nǐ sǐ wǒ huó de bǐsài。

This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.
3
住宿从未提前安排好。

zhùsù cóngwèi tíqián ānpái hǎo。

Accommodation is never fixed up in advance.
4
他俩都是无家可归的人,露宿在城市最古老的桥下。

tā liǎ dōushì wújiākěguī de rén, lòu sù zài chéngshì zuì gǔlǎo de qiáo xià。

They are both down-and-outs, sleeping under the city's oldest bridge.
5
有些人住在建筑质量很差的宿舍里,甚至帐篷里。

yǒuxiē rén zhùzài jiànzhù zhìliàng hěn chà de sùshè lǐ, shènzhì zhàngpeng lǐ。

Some are living in poorly built dormitories, even in tents.
6
你们能获得大笔激励性薪水,还可享受免费膳宿。

nǐmen néng huòdé dà bǐ jīlì xìng xīnshui, hái kě xiǎngshòu miǎnfèi shàn sù。

You get a big salary incentive and free board and lodging too.
7
多数难民在高山上露宿。

duōshù nànmín zài gāoshān shàng lòu sù。

Most of the refugees are camped high in the mountains.
8
她送儿子上了东部的一所寄宿学校。

tā sòng érzi shàng le dōngbù de yī suǒ jì sù xuéxiào。

She sent her son to a boarding school in the East.
9
当然,她现在住在寄宿学校那边。

dāngrán, tā xiànzài zhùzài jì sù xuéxiào nàbiān。

Of course, now she is away at boarding school.
10
在我们走访的学生宿舍里,大多明令禁止胡作非为。

zài wǒmen zǒu fǎng de xuéshēng sùshè lǐ, dàduō míng lìng jìnzhǐ hú zuō fēi wèi。

In most of the residence halls we visited, rules prohibit disorderly conduct.

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Word Family of 宿

Compounds7
缩suōto withdraw
蓿xualfalfa, clover, lucerne
縮suōto withdraw, to shrink, to pull back; abbreviation
樎sù
蹜sù
摍suō
鏥xiù
Words containing this character20
宿舍sùshèdormitory
宿sùold
住宿zhùsùto stay at
归宿guīsùhome歸宿
寄宿jìsùto stay
宿主sùzhǔhost
露宿lùsùto sleep outdoors
食宿shísùboard and lodging
宿命sùmìngkarma
留宿liúsùto put up a guest
借宿jièsùto stay with sb
宿敌sùdíold enemy宿敵
宿营sùyíngto camp宿營
宿营地sùyíngdìcamp宿營地
宿怨sùyuànan old grudge
投宿tóusùto lodge
宿迁sùqiānSuqian prefecture level city in Jiangsu宿遷
星宿xīngxiùconstellation (arch., now 星座)
宿州sùzhōuSuzhou prefecture level city in Anhui
宿州市sùzhōushìSuzhou prefecture level city in Anhui
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 宿

What does 缩 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 宿

It is pronounced as 'sù' with a falling tone.

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