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March 24, 2026
使shǐ(shi3)
The character 使 (shǐ) means 'to make', 'to cause', or 'to enable'. It is commonly used in contexts where one person or thing is causing another to perform an action, such as instructing someone to do something or sending a message. The nuance often implies an authoritative or formal sense of control or instruction.
Strokes8Radical亻Frequency#659DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of authority and hierarchy is significant, and 使 (shǐ) often reflects this by emphasizing the relationship between those who give orders and those who receive them, especially in a work or family context.
Memory Tip
Imagine a powerful 'shǐ' (使) sending out a 'messenger' to make things happen. The character can be broken down with the radical 使 resembling an envoy or a person tasked with a mission, reminding you of the act of sending someone to fulfill a duty.
Meanings of 使
shǐ(shi3)
1to make
2to cause
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 使
使Simplified
8Strokes
亻Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#659Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 使
Podcast: 使
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AI Study Notes for 使
Quick Contrast
令 (lìng) - use 使 (shǐ) for a broader sense of causing or enabling, while 令 (lìng) often emphasizes issuing an order or command.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a powerful 'shǐ' (使) sending out a 'messenger' to make things happen. The character can be broken down with the radical 使 resembling an envoy or a person tasked with a mission, reminding you of the act of sending someone to fulfill a duty.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 使 (shǐ), as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in more formal contexts, especially when instructing or directing someone. Common collocations include 使...做 (to make someone do...) or 使...发生 (to cause something to happen).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 使 connects well with other verbs of action and causation. Focus on how it interacts with verbs to create sentences that express causality, such as using it with 让 (ràng) or 叫 (jiào) to indicate making someone do something.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of authority and hierarchy is significant, and 使 (shǐ) often reflects this by emphasizing the relationship between those who give orders and those who receive them, especially in a work or family context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 使 (shǐ) with similar words like 让 (ràng) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我使他去' instead of '我让他去' (I made him go) can change the intended meaning drastically.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 使
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The characters 史 (history), 吏 (government official), 使 (cause; use; instruct), and 事 (matter; work; affair) are all etymologically related and all derive from the same ancient character, depicting a hand (又) holding some object.
There are vario
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Grammar Patterns of 使
使 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 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Never keep on exercising if you have even the slightest chest pain.
Cultural Notes for 使
💡Did you know?
The character 使 is often associated with authority and governance, reflecting its etymology which includes a person (亻) working for the government (吏). This connection emphasizes the character's meanings related to enabling and giving orders.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of authority and hierarchy is significant, and 使 (shǐ) often reflects this by emphasizing the relationship between those who give orders and those who receive them, especially in a work or family context.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In both Chinese and Western contexts, the concept of 'enabling' others is critical in leadership. However, in Chinese culture, the emphasis is often on collective success over individual achievement, which aligns with the meaning of 使 as enabling others.
Word Family of 使
Words Containing This Character20
使shǐto make
使用shǐyòngto use
即使jíshǐeven if
天使tiānshǐangel
使得shǐdeusable
使命shǐmìngset task
大使dàshǐenvoy
促使cùshǐto induce
使劲shǐjìnto exert all one's strength使勁
使者shǐzhěemissary
行使xíngshǐto exercise (a right etc)
迫使pòshǐto force
致使zhìshǐto cause
大使馆dàshǐguǎnembassy大使館
指使to incite
驱使to urge驅使
使用权usage rights使用權
使馆consulate使館
使唤shǐhuanto use sb使喚
使用者user
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 使 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 使
Some common phrases using 使 (shǐ) include '使用' (shǐ yòng), meaning 'to use,' and '使劲' (shǐ jìn), meaning 'to exert force.' These phrases demonstrate the versatility of the character in different contexts.
使 (shǐ) can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in literature and formal writing, as well as in everyday conversation when discussing actions and their effects.
使 (shǐ) means 'to make,' 'to cause,' 'to enable,' or 'to use.' It is often used in contexts where one action causes or enables another, and can also imply employing or sending someone or something.
You can use 使 (shǐ) in sentences to indicate causing an action or enabling something. For example, you might say '这本书使我明白了很多' (This book made me understand a lot). This shows how one thing can influence another action or realization.
You can use 使 to indicate that one person is making another do something, for example, '他使我感到高兴' (He makes me happy).
使 is generally more formal and is often used in written or official contexts.
使 implies a stronger sense of authority or causation than 让, which is more about allowing or permitting.
