HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
to defend
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
to keep watch
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
to abide by the law
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
to observe (rules or ritual)
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
nearby
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
adjoining
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
守
shǒu
to defend, to guard, to protect; to conserve; to wait
HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2016, Medium
shǒu(shou3) T3
1to guard
2to defend
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March 24, 2026
守shǒu(shou3)
The character 守 (shǒu) primarily means 'to guard' or 'to defend.' It is commonly used in contexts involving protection, maintaining order, or adhering to laws and rituals. This character embodies a sense of vigilance and responsibility, making it applicable in both physical and moral contexts.
Strokes6Radical宀Frequency#2016DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of guarding and observing rituals is significant, especially during festivals and ceremonies, where adherence to traditions is paramount. The character reflects the importance placed on duty and social responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a vigilant guard (守) standing by a wall (the character has a radical for 'to defend' on the left). You can associate the sound 'shǒu' with the English word 'show'—picture the guard showing their presence as they watch over what they protect.
Meanings of 守
shǒu(shou3)
1to guard
2to defend
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 守
守Simplified
6Strokes
宀Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2016Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 守
Podcast: 守
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AI Study Notes for 守
Quick Contrast
守 (shǒu) vs 保 (bǎo) — use 守 when emphasizing guarding or defending, while 保 focuses on protecting or ensuring safety.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a vigilant guard (守) standing by a wall (the character has a radical for 'to defend' on the left). You can associate the sound 'shǒu' with the English word 'show'—picture the guard showing their presence as they watch over what they protect.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 守 (shǒu) with other characters that have similar pronunciations but different meanings, such as 手 (shǒu, meaning 'hand'). 守 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in phrases regarding law or rules, like 守法 (shǒufǎ, meaning 'to abide by the law').
HSK Study Tips
While 守 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary about law and morality, which may appear in HSK 4 and above. Focus on its various usages in sentences to grasp its flexibility and contextual meanings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of guarding and observing rituals is significant, especially during festivals and ceremonies, where adherence to traditions is paramount. The character reflects the importance placed on duty and social responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 守 (shǒu) with the similar-sounding 手 (shǒu), which means 'hand.' It is important to remember that 守 pertains to guarding or observing, while 手 relates to physical body parts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 守
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Grammar Patterns of 守
守 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 8 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.
A Wall Street Journal editorial encapsulated the views of many conservatives.
8
泰勒的运动生涯是从一名业余守门员开始的。
tài lè de yùn dòng shēng yá shì cóng yī míng yè yú shǒu mén yuán kāi shǐ de。
Taylor began his playing career as an amateur goalkeeper.
9
协会的所有成员都遵守一套严格的行为规范。
xié huì de suǒ yǒu chéng yuán dū zūn shǒu yī tào yán gé de háng wéi guī fàn。
All members of the association adhere to a strict code of practice.
10
他为某些思想较守旧的官员所憎恶。
tā wéi mǒu xiē sī xiǎng jiào shǒu jiù de guān yuán suǒ zēng è。
He is loathed by some of the more traditionally minded officers.
Cultural Notes for 守
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of guarding and observing rituals is significant, especially during festivals and ceremonies, where adherence to traditions is paramount. The character reflects the importance placed on duty and social responsibility.
Word Family of 守
Compounds3
狩shou4winter hunting; a hunting dog; an imperial tour
垨
酧
Words Containing This Character20
守shǒuto guard
防守fángshǒuto defend
遵守zūnshǒuto comply with
保守bǎoshǒuconservative
守护shǒuhùto guard守護
守卫to guard守衛
看守to guard
坚守jiānshǒuto hold fast to堅守
守候shǒuhòuto wait for
留守to stay behind to take care of things
守门员goalkeeper守門員
守则rules守則
守法to abide by the law
信守to abide by
守护神protector God守護神
看守所detention center
玩忽职守to neglect one's duty玩忽職守
守口如瓶reticent
把守to guard
太守governor of a province
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 狩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 守
Common phrases include 守法 (shǒufǎ), meaning 'to abide by the law,' and 守时 (shǒushí), which means 'to be punctual.' These phrases illustrate the character's usage in contexts of adherence and guardianship.
Yes, 守 is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially in contexts related to protection, law, and observance of rules. You'll often hear it in discussions about responsibilities and duties.
守 (shǒu) means to guard, defend, or keep watch. It can also refer to abiding by the law or observing rules and rituals. This character is used in various contexts, including personal and legal situations.
You can use 守 (shǒu) in sentences like '我守护我的家' (Wǒ shǒuhù wǒ de jiā), which means 'I guard my home.' It's commonly used to express the action of protecting or observing something important.
Common phrases include 守法 (shǒufǎ, 'to abide by the law') and 守规矩 (shǒu guījǔ, 'to observe rules').
It is pronounced as 'shǒu' with a third tone, which sounds like a falling-rising pitch.
Yes, 守 is often used in legal contexts to indicate adherence to laws or regulations.
