Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
宿舍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
宿舍
sùshè
dormitory
HSK 5, n, 19 strokes, rank #5307, Hard
宿舍
sùshè
dorm room
HSK 5, n, 19 strokes, rank #5307, Hard
宿舍
sùshè
living quarters
HSK 5, n, 19 strokes, rank #5307, Hard
宿舍
sùshè
hostel
HSK 5, n, 19 strokes, rank #5307, Hard
sùshè(su4she4)su she T4
1dormitory
2dorm room
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
宿舍sùshè(su4she4)
宿舍 (sù shè) refers to a dormitory or living quarters where multiple people, often students, reside. It is commonly used in the context of universities and schools, providing accommodation for students on campus. The term conveys a sense of shared space and communal living.
Strokes19Frequency#5307DifficultyHard
Cultural note
宿舍 is integral to student life in China, where many students live on campus. This reflects a communal aspect of Chinese education, emphasizing collaboration and shared experiences among students.
Memory tip
Imagine a '宿' (sù) with a cozy '舍' (shè) where students sleep. Think of '宿' as a bed and '舍' as a shelter – together they form a warm dormitory where students share experiences.
Meanings of 宿舍
sùshè(su4she4)
1dormitory
2dorm room
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 宿舍 means.
About 宿舍
宿舍Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5307Frequency Rank
间Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 宿舍
Podcast: 宿舍
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 宿舍
Quick Contrast
宿舍 (dormitory) vs 旅馆 (hotel) — use 宿舍 for shared student living rather than private accommodations.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 宿舍 with other housing-related terms like 住房 (zhù fáng) which refers more generally to housing. 宿舍 is typically used in informal settings, so it's best suited for conversations about school life and student living. Be mindful of the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 宿舍 connects with other vocabulary related to education and daily life. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts, particularly in academic settings, to understand how it fits into conversations about student life.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 宿舍 when referring to individual housing, such as saying '我住在宿舍里' ('I live in the dormitory') when they actually mean 'I live in an apartment.' The correct term for an apartment would be 公寓 (gōng yù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宿舍
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 宿舍, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 宿舍 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 宿舍?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 宿舍 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.
宿舍 (sù shè) refers to a dormitory or living quarters where multiple people, often students, reside. It is commonly used in the context of universities and schools, providing accommodation for students on campus. The term conveys a sense of shared space and communal living.
When to use 宿舍
Learners often confuse 宿舍 with other housing-related terms like 住房 (zhù fáng) which refers more generally to housing. 宿舍 is typically used in informal settings, so it's best suited for conversations about school life and student living. Be mindful of the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
宿舍 or something close to it
宿舍 (dormitory) vs 旅馆 (hotel) — use 宿舍 for shared student living rather than private accommodations.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 宿舍 when referring to individual housing, such as saying '我住在宿舍里' ('I live in the dormitory') when they actually mean 'I live in an apartment.' The correct term for an apartment would be 公寓 (gōng yù).
Write 宿舍
宿
舍
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 宿舍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 宿舍
宿舍 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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 dormitory manager checks the safety and hygiene conditions of each floor every day.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 宿舍?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 宿舍
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, dormitories may often be referred to as 'residence halls' and may host fewer residents per room compared to traditional Chinese 宿舍, which often accommodates more students in shared spaces.
Frequently asked questions about 宿舍
宿舍 specifically refers to dormitories or shared living spaces for students, while 住房 is a broader term for any form of housing.
No, 宿舍 is typically used for student accommodations and not for hotels; the word for hotel is 酒店 (jiǔ diàn).
Yes, 宿舍 is generally used in informal contexts, particularly among students and peers.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 宿舍?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.