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) 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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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 guǎng bō gōng sī gāng gāng chéng gōng dì yǎn shì le yī tào xīn de shù zì wú xiàn diàn chuán shū xì tǒng。
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 cháng zhī chà jiāng guān jūn shū gěi le dǐ tè lǜ duì。
The Red Sox lost the pennant to Detroit by a single game.
6
没人喜欢输。
méi rén xǐ huān 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 ， bù？
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。
fā xiàn zì jǐ de tóu zhù duì xiàng 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。
dǎo dàn cóng nà jià yùn shū jī de dǐ bù fēi le chū lái。
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。
suí zháo nián líng de zēng jiā， ， rén zài xiāo hào tǐ lì shí xīn zāng de shū xiě néng lì hé shū xiě sù dù huì yǒu suǒ jiǎn。
Age diminishes the heart's ability to pump harder and faster under exertion.
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.
🏮Cultural insight
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.
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to 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win or loss輸贏
输卵管oviduct輸卵管
输尿管ureter輸尿管
服输to concede服輸
输入法input method輸入法
输电electricity transmission輸電
数据传输data transmission數據傳輸
输油管petroleum pipeline輸油管
输给to lose to (sb)輸給
输精管vas deferens輸精管
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 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'.
