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熟悉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
熟悉shúxito be familiar withHSK 4, v, 26 strokes, rank #2056, Medium
熟悉shúxito know wellHSK 4, v, 26 strokes, rank #2056, Medium
shúxi(shu2xi5)shu xi T2
  1. 1to be familiar with
  2. 2to know well
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March 24, 2026

熟悉shúxi(shu2xi5)

熟悉 (shú xī) means to be familiar with something or someone, indicating a deep understanding or knowledge. It is commonly used in contexts where someone has experience or expertise in a particular area, like a job, a place, or a person.

Strokes26Frequency#2056DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, familiarity plays a significant role in relationships and social interactions. Being熟悉 with someone's background or preferences is often viewed as a sign of respect and consideration.

Memory Tip

Imagine a chef (熟) who is so familiar (xi) with their kitchen that they can cook a perfect meal without even looking at the ingredients. The character 熟 (shú) resembles a cooked dish, while familiar (xi) sounds like 'see' — as in, you can see how well they know their kitchen.

Meanings of 熟悉

shúxi(shu2xi5)
1to be familiar with
2to know well
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 熟悉

熟悉Simplified
26Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2056Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 熟悉

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Podcast: 熟悉

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AI Study Notes for 熟悉

Quick Contrast

了解 (liǎojiě) vs 熟悉 (shúxi): 了解 emphasizes understanding or comprehension, while 熟悉 implies a deeper familiarity or experience with something.

Usage Notes

When using 熟悉, it is essential to pair it with the right objects; for example, you can say '熟悉这个地方' (familiar with this place). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more conversational. Be mindful of the tones, as mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 熟悉 connects well with other vocabulary related to personal experiences and descriptions. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express familiarity with various subjects, enhancing their ability to describe situations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 熟悉 with 了解 (liǎo jiě). While both indicate understanding, 熟悉 implies a deeper familiarity. For instance, saying '我了解这个地方' (I understand this place) is less impactful than '我熟悉这个地方' (I am familiar with this place).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 熟悉

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Component Characters

熟shóucooked (of food)
HSK 415 strokes灬
View full entry
悉xīin all cases
11 strokes心
View full entry

How to say to be familiar with in Chinese

“to be familiar with” in Chinese is熟悉shúxi

熟悉 (shú xī) means to be familiar with something or someone, indicating a deep understanding or knowledge. It is commonly used in contexts where someone has experience or expertise in a particular area, like a job, a place, or a person.

When to use 熟悉

When using 熟悉, it is essential to pair it with the right objects; for example, you can say '熟悉这个地方' (familiar with this place). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more conversational. Be mindful of the tones, as mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

熟悉 or something close to it

了解 (liǎojiě) vs 熟悉 (shúxi): 了解 emphasizes understanding or comprehension, while 熟悉 implies a deeper familiarity or experience with something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 熟悉 with 了解 (liǎo jiě). While both indicate understanding, 熟悉 implies a deeper familiarity. For instance, saying '我了解这个地方' (I understand this place) is less impactful than '我熟悉这个地方' (I am familiar with this place).

Write 熟悉

熟
悉

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Grammar Patterns of 熟悉

熟悉 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 2 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

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

她种了很多我不____的奇妙植物。

She grew many wonderful plants that were unfamiliar to me.

Example Sentences for 熟悉 (10)

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1
她种了很多我不熟悉的奇妙植物。

tā zhǒng le hěn duō wǒ bù shú xī de qí miào zhí wù。

She grew many wonderful plants that were unfamiliar to me.
2
他们依然很熟悉伦敦市郊的喧闹声。

tā mén yī rán hěn shú xī lún dūn shì jiāo de xuān nào shēng。

Their ears were still attuned to the sounds of the London suburb.
3
罗斯听到了熟悉的声音，但没注意听说的是什么。

luó sī tīng dào le shú xī de shēng yīn， ， dàn méi zhù yì tīng shuō de shì shí。

Rose heard the familiar voice, but tuned out the words.
4
这本书基本上会让那些不熟悉该学科的人对其有个初步了解。

zhè běn shū jī běn shàng huì ràng nà xiē bù shú xī gāi xué kē de rén duì qí yǒu gè chū bù le jiě。

The book is essentially a taster for those unfamiliar with the subject.
5
多数人都熟悉瓦格纳歌剧中的这一人物。

duō shù rén dū shú xī wǎ gé nà gē jù zhōng de zhè yī rén wù。

Most people are familiar with this figure from Wagner's opera.
6
她听到楼梯上传来牧师那熟悉的单调脚步声。

tā tīng dào lóu tī shàng chuán lái mù shī nà shú xī de dān tiáo jiǎo bù shēng。

She heard the priest's familiar, flat footfall on the staircase.
7
他在那部长期播映的连续剧里的角色最为人所熟悉。

tā zài nà bù cháng qī bō yìng de lián xù jù lǐ de jiǎo sè zuì wéi rén suǒ shú xī。

He was best-known for his role in the long-running television series.
8
英国的这一块地方还很不为游客所熟悉。

yīng guó de zhè yī kuài dì fāng huán hěn bù wéi yóu kè suǒ shú xī。

It is a part of Britain as yet largely unaccustomed to tourists.
9
母亲的声音是他很熟悉的：冰冷、无情。

mǔ qīn de shēng yīn shì tā hěn shú xī de： ： bīng、 lěng 、。

His mother's voice was one he knew; ice cold and deadly.
10
大家一定都很熟悉玫瑰中的老牌名品“水晶宫殿”。

dà jiā yī dìng dū hěn shú xī méi guī zhōng de lǎo pái míng pǐn“ “ shuǐ jīng gōng”。

Everyone must be familiar with the old favourite among roses, Crystal Palace.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 熟悉

Yes, you can use 熟悉 to express familiarity with people, for example, 熟悉我的朋友 (familiar with my friend).

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