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March 24, 2026
失去shīqù(shi1qu4)
失去 (shīqù) means 'to lose' and is commonly used in contexts referring to the loss of tangible or intangible things, such as opportunities, relationships, or possessions. It conveys a sense of regret or sorrow associated with the act of losing something valuable.
Strokes10Frequency#533DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of loss is often associated with deep emotional ties, particularly in relationships and family. The saying '失去的东西' (things that are lost) often carries weight in discussions about personal experiences and regrets.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person watching their prized possession slipping away like sand through their fingers, symbolizing loss. The character 失 (shī) looks like a person (the top part) who is feeling down (the bottom part) about something they have lost, while 去 (qù) suggests movement away from the person.
Meanings of 失去
shīqù(shi1qu4)
1to lose
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About 失去
失去Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#533Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 失去
Podcast: 失去
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AI Study Notes for 失去
Quick Contrast
丧失 (sàngshī) is often used in formal contexts and emphasizes the state of having lost something, whereas 失去 (shīqù) focuses more on the action of losing.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 失去 with similar verbs like 丢 (diū, to discard) which implies carelessness. 失去 is more formal and often used in written contexts, while 丢 is more casual. Common collocations include 失去机会 (shīqù jīhuì, to lose an opportunity) and 失去信任 (shīqù xìnrèn, to lose trust).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 失去 connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and experiences, such as 悲伤 (bēishāng, sadness) and 机会 (jīhuì, opportunity). Students should focus on understanding how it interacts with nouns and how it expresses emotional states.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 失去 with the verb 丢 (diū). For instance, saying '我失去了我的书包' (Wǒ shīqùle wǒ de shūbāo) is correct, but saying '我丢了我的书包' (Wǒ diūle wǒ de shūbāo) is more casual and implies carelessness. Additionally, remember to use the correct tones for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 失去
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失去 (shīqù) means 'to lose' and is commonly used in contexts referring to the loss of tangible or intangible things, such as opportunities, relationships, or possessions. It conveys a sense of regret or sorrow associated with the act of losing something valuable.
When to use 失去
Be careful not to confuse 失去 with similar verbs like 丢 (diū, to discard) which implies carelessness. 失去 is more formal and often used in written contexts, while 丢 is more casual. Common collocations include 失去机会 (shīqù jīhuì, to lose an opportunity) and 失去信任 (shīqù xìnrèn, to lose trust).
失去 or something close to it
丧失 (sàngshī) is often used in formal contexts and emphasizes the state of having lost something, whereas 失去 (shīqù) focuses more on the action of losing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 失去 with the verb 丢 (diū). For instance, saying '我失去了我的书包' (Wǒ shīqùle wǒ de shūbāo) is correct, but saying '我丢了我的书包' (Wǒ diūle wǒ de shūbāo) is more casual and implies carelessness. Additionally, remember to use the correct tones for clarity.
Write 失去
失
去
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Grammar Patterns of 失去
失去 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
