Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
手续 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
手续shǒuxùprocedureHSK 5, v, 15 strokes, rank #7572, Hard
手续shǒuxùformalitiesHSK 5, v, 15 strokes, rank #7572, Hard
shǒuxù(shou3xu4)shou xu T3
  1. 1procedure
  2. 2formalities
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

手续(手續)shǒuxù(shou3xu4)

手续 (shǒuxù) refers to the processes or formalities required to complete a task, often involving documentation or adherence to specific procedures. Commonly used in bureaucratic contexts, such as applying for permits or completing transactions, it implies an orderly method that must be followed.

Strokes15Frequency#7572DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, following proper procedures is often seen as a sign of respect and professionalism, especially in business and legal matters. Skipping or rushing through these formalities can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts.

Memory Tip

Imagine your hands (手, shǒu) are doing a dance (续, xù) of steps, each representing a part of a procedure. Visualize a sequence of hand gestures that you must follow to successfully complete a task, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 手续

shǒuxù(shou3xu4)
1procedure
2formalities
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 手续 means.

About 手续

手续Simplified
手續Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7572Frequency Rank
道Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 手续

JasonAmy

Podcast: 手续

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 手续

Quick Contrast

程序 (chéngxù) refers specifically to a sequence of actions or steps in a process, while 手续 (shǒuxù) emphasizes the formalities or paperwork involved in completing a task.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 手续 with related terms like 过程 (guòchéng, meaning 'process'), as 手续 emphasizes formal requirements. It's often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '办理手续' (bànlǐ shǒuxù, meaning 'handle the formalities').

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 手续 connects to other administrative and procedural vocabulary like 申请 (shēnqǐng, 'application') and 证明 (zhèngmíng, 'certification'). Focus on using it in the context of formal processes and practice related phrases.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 手续 with related terms like 流程 (liúchéng, meaning 'flow/process') and use it incorrectly in casual settings. For example, saying '我需要手续去商店' (wǒ xūyào shǒuxù qù shāngdiàn, meaning 'I need formalities to go to the store') is incorrect; it should be more specific, as you typically don't need formalities for casual shopping.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 手续

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 手续 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 手续 to You

Let me explain 手续 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 手续 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 手续?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 手续 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry
续xùto continue
HSK 711 strokes纟
View full entry

How to say procedure in Chinese

“procedure” in Chinese is手续shǒuxù

手续 (shǒuxù) refers to the processes or formalities required to complete a task, often involving documentation or adherence to specific procedures. Commonly used in bureaucratic contexts, such as applying for permits or completing transactions, it implies an orderly method that must be followed.

When to use 手续

Be careful not to confuse 手续 with related terms like 过程 (guòchéng, meaning 'process'), as 手续 emphasizes formal requirements. It's often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '办理手续' (bànlǐ shǒuxù, meaning 'handle the formalities').

手续 or something close to it

程序 (chéngxù) refers specifically to a sequence of actions or steps in a process, while 手续 (shǒuxù) emphasizes the formalities or paperwork involved in completing a task.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 手续 with related terms like 流程 (liúchéng, meaning 'flow/process') and use it incorrectly in casual settings. For example, saying '我需要手续去商店' (wǒ xūyào shǒuxù qù shāngdiàn, meaning 'I need formalities to go to the store') is incorrect; it should be more specific, as you typically don't need formalities for casual shopping.

Write 手续

手
续

Practice writing 手续 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 手续

手续 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

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

他们收拾好东西,办理了退房____。

They packed and checked out of the hotel.

Example Sentences for 手续 (11)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们收拾好东西,办理了退房手续。

tā mén shōu shí hǎo dōng xī, , bàn lǐ le tuì fáng shǒu。

They packed and checked out of the hotel.
2
那艘船一办好离港手续立刻启航了.

nà sōu chuán yī bàn hǎo lí gǎng shǒu xù lì kè qǐ háng le.

The ship sailed as soon as it got clearance.
3
我想后天帮他办理手续,结账离开这里。

wǒ xiǎng hòu tiān bāng tā bàn lǐ shǒu xù, , jié zhàng lí kāi zhè。

I'd like to check him out of here the day after tomorrow.
4
去宾馆替我们办理好入住手续,然后等我的电话。

qù bīn guǎn tì wǒ mén bàn lǐ hǎo rù zhù shǒu xù, , rán hòu děng wǒ de diàn。

Check us in at the hotel and wait for my call.
5
他已经去前台了,可能是要办理退房手续。

tā yǐ jīng qù qián tái le, , kě néng shì yào bàn lǐ tuì fáng shǒu。

He had gone to the reception desk, presumably to check out.
6
今天,马奥尼自己到悉尼最好的一家旅馆办理了入住手续。

jīn tiān, , mǎ ào ní zì jǐ dào xī ní zuì hǎo de yī jiā lǚ guǎn bàn lǐ le rù zhù shǒu。

Today Mahoney booked himself into one of the best hotels in Sydney.
7
为了申请签证,你需要完成很多复杂的手续。

Wèile shēnqǐng qiānzhèng, nǐ xūyào wánchéng hěn duō fùzá de shǒuxù.

To apply for a visa, you need to complete many complex procedures.
8
在公司成立之前,我们必须先完成所有法律手续。

Zài gōngsī chénglì zhīqián, wǒmen bìxū xiān wánchéng suǒyǒu fǎlǜ shǒuxù.

Before the company is established, we must first complete all legal procedures.
9
完成这些手续后,你就可以正式成为公司的员工了。

Wánchéng zhèxiē shǒuxù hòu, nǐ jiù kěyǐ zhèngshì chéngwéi gōngsī de yuángōng le.

After completing these procedures, you can officially become an employee of the company.
10
我们需要详细了解所有的手续,以确保项目顺利进行。

Wǒmen xūyào xiángxì liǎojiě suǒyǒu de shǒuxù, yǐ quèbǎo xiàngmù shùnlì jìnxíng.

We need to thoroughly understand all the procedures to ensure the project proceeds smoothly.
11
办理这些手续可能需要几个星期的时间,所以请提前准备。

Bànlǐ zhèxiē shǒuxù kěnéng xūyào jǐ gè xīngqī de shíjiān, suǒyǐ qǐng tíqián zhǔnbèi.

Completing these procedures might take several weeks, so please prepare in advance.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 手续?

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 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 手续

You would commonly use 手续 when discussing government applications, banking processes, or any formal transaction that requires documentation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 手续?

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.

See the Learning Lab