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输 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
输
shū
to lose
HSK 4, v, 13 strokes, radical 车, rank #969, Medium
输
shū
to transport
HSK 4, v, 13 strokes, radical 车, rank #969, Medium
输
shū
to donate
HSK 4, v, 13 strokes, radical 车, rank #969, Medium
输
shū
to enter (a password)
HSK 4, v, 13 strokes, radical 车, rank #969, Medium
输
shū
to carry, to haul, to transport
HSK 4, v, 13 strokes, radical 车, rank #969, Medium
shū(shu1)shu T1
1to lose
2to transport
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March 24, 2026
输(輸)shū(shu1)
The character 输 (shū) primarily means 'to lose' in the context of games or competitions. It can also refer to transporting goods or even entering a password in a digital context. Its versatility makes it useful in both casual and formal conversations, though the meaning often shifts depending on the context.
Strokes13Radical车Frequency#969DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In competitive Chinese culture, losing is often seen as a learning experience rather than a failure, which reflects the value placed on perseverance and improvement. The usage of 输 in games or sports can also be tied to traditional values of humility.
Memory tip
Imagine a person losing a game, with the word 'lose' sounding like 'shoo' as they wave goodbye to victory. The character 输 features the radical for 'to carry' (运) which relates to transporting things, reinforcing the idea of losing something valuable.
Meanings of 输
shū(shu1)
1to lose
2to transport
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 输 means.
About 输
输Simplified
輸Traditional
13Strokes
车Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#969Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 输
Podcast: 输
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AI study notes for 输
Quick Contrast
输 (shū, to lose) vs 败 (bài, to be defeated) — use 输 when emphasizing the act of losing in games or competitions, while 败 implies a broader sense of defeat.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 输 with 赢 (yíng), which means 'to win'. In informal contexts, it can be used casually to describe minor losses, but in formal settings, it's best to specify the context clearly. Be careful with tone; incorrect pronunciation can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 输 connects with other verbs related to competition and transport, such as 胜 (shèng, to win) and 运输 (yùnshū, to transport). Students should focus on using it in different contexts to enhance their vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 输 with 失 (shī), which means 'to lose something' but is used in different contexts. For example, saying '我输掉了我的钱包' (Wǒ shū diào le wǒ de qiánbāo) is incorrect; it should be '我失去了我的钱包' (Wǒ shīqù le wǒ de qiánbāo).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 输
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 输 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
输 = 车 + 俞. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 输
IDS Structure⿰车俞
输Full character
=
车Che1
left
俞shu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 输?
How to say to lose in Chinese
“to lose” in Chinese is输shū
The character 输 (shū) primarily means 'to lose' in the context of games or competitions. It can also refer to transporting goods or even entering a password in a digital context. Its versatility makes it useful in both casual and formal conversations, though the meaning often shifts depending on the context.
When to use 输
Common mistakes include confusing 输 with 赢 (yíng), which means 'to win'. In informal contexts, it can be used casually to describe minor losses, but in formal settings, it's best to specify the context clearly. Be careful with tone; incorrect pronunciation can change the meaning entirely.
输 or something close to it
输 (shū, to lose) vs 败 (bài, to be defeated) — use 输 when emphasizing the act of losing in games or competitions, while 败 implies a broader sense of defeat.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 输 with 失 (shī), which means 'to lose something' but is used in different contexts. For example, saying '我输掉了我的钱包' (Wǒ shū diào le wǒ de qiánbāo) is incorrect; it should be '我失去了我的钱包' (Wǒ shīqù le wǒ de qiánbāo).
Write 输
输
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Practice writing 输 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 输
输 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 5 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.
You have to type in commands, such as "help" and "print"
3
执行死刑的动机是要灌输恐惧。
zhíxíng sǐ xíng de dòngjī shì yào guànshū kǒngjù。
The motive of the executions would be to instil fear.
4
英国广播公司刚刚成功地演示了一套新的数字无线电传输系统。
Yīng guó guǎngbō gōngsī gānggāng chénggōng dì yǎnshì le yī tào xīn de shùzì wúxiàndiàn chuánshū xìtǒng。
The BBC has just successfully demonstrated a new digital radio transmission system.
5
红袜队以一场之差将冠军输给了底特律队。
hóng wà duì yǐ yī chǎng zhī chà jiāng guànjūn shū gěi le de tè Lǜ duì。
The Red Sox lost the pennant to Detroit by a single game.
6
没人喜欢输。
méi rén xǐhuan shū。
No one likes to be on the losing side.
7
卢，你这人输不起，不是吗？
lú， nǐ zhè rén shū bù qǐ， bùshì ma？
You are a very bad loser Lou, aren't you?
8
发现自己的投注对象输了是一件让人心烦的事。
fāxiàn zìjǐ de tóu zhù duìxiàng shū le shì yī jiàn ràng rén xīn fán de shì。
It is upsetting to discover that you have backed a loser.
9
导弹从那架运输机的底部飞了出来。
dǎodàn cóng nà jià yùnshū Jī de de bù fēi le chūlái。
The missiles emerge from the underbelly of the transport plane.
10
随着年龄的增加，人在消耗体力时心脏的输血能力和输血速度会有所减弱。
suízhe niánlíng de zēngjiā， rén zài xiāohào tǐlì shí xīnzàng de shūxuè nénglì hé shūxuè sùdù huì yǒusuǒ jiǎnruò。
Age diminishes the heart's ability to pump harder and faster under exertion.
11
这场比赛虽然输得很惨，但我们从中学到了很多东西。
Zhè chǎng bǐsài suīrán shū de hěn cǎn, dàn wǒmen cóng zhōng xué dào le hěn duō dōngxi.
Although we lost this match badly, we learned a lot from it.
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Cultural Notes for 输
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, losing is often seen as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. The phrase '不怕输' (bù pà shū) encourages people to not fear losing but to embrace the experience.
Word Family of 输
Words containing this character20
输shūto lose輸
运输yùnshūtransport運輸
输入shūrùto import輸入
输出shūchūto export輸出
传输chuánshūto transmit傳輸
认输rènshūto concede認輸
输送shūsòngto transport輸送
灌输guànshūto imbue with灌輸
输液shūyèintravenous infusion輸液
输血shūxuèto transfuse blood輸血
输赢shūyíngwin or loss輸贏
输卵管shūluǎnguǎnoviduct輸卵管
输尿管shūniàoguǎnureter輸尿管
服输fúshūto concede服輸
输入法shūrùfǎinput method輸入法
输电shūdiànelectricity transmission輸電
数据传输shùjùchuánshūdata transmission數據傳輸
输油管shūyóuguǎnpetroleum pipeline輸油管
输给shūgěito lose to (sb)輸給
输精管shūjīngguǎnvas deferens輸精管
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 输
What does 运输 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 输
The character 输 (shū) has several meanings including 'to lose', 'to transport', and 'to donate'. It is also used in technology-related contexts, such as entering a password, highlighting its versatility in the language.
Yes, 输 (shū) can be commonly used in everyday conversations, especially in contexts involving games, competitions, and transportation. For instance, people often discuss losing a game or the logistics of transporting items.
输 (shū) means 'to lose' in the context of a game or competition. It can also mean 'to transport' or 'to donate'. Additionally, it is used when entering a password, indicating the action of inputting.
You can use 输 (shū) in sentences like '我输了比赛' (Wǒ shū le bǐsài), which means 'I lost the game.' It can also be used in contexts related to transport, such as '这辆车可以输货' (Zhè liàng chē kěyǐ shū huò), meaning 'This vehicle can transport goods.'
输 means 'to lose' while 赢 means 'to win', so they are opposites commonly used in competitive contexts.
Yes, in addition to meaning 'to lose', it can also refer to transporting goods or items.
You can say '我输了这场比赛' (Wǒ shūle zhè chǎng bǐsài), which means 'I lost this game'.
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