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鼠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
鼠
shǔ
rat
HSK 5, n, 13 strokes, radical 鼠, rank #3750, Hard
鼠
shǔ
mouse
HSK 5, n, 13 strokes, radical 鼠, rank #3750, Hard
shǔ(shu3)shu T3
1rat
2mouse
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March 24, 2026
鼠shǔ(shu3)
The character 鼠 (shǔ) refers to both 'rat' and 'mouse' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in various contexts, including zoology and idiomatic expressions, often symbolizing cleverness or cunning. Additionally, it is associated with the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, representing traits like resourcefulness and adaptability.
Strokes13Radical鼠Frequency#3750DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the rat is viewed positively in some contexts, particularly in relation to the Lunar New Year, where it symbolizes new beginnings and prosperity. The Year of the Rat is often celebrated with various festivities.
Memory tip
Imagine a small, sneaky mouse (鼠) scurrying around. The radical for 'mouse' looks like a tiny ear, suggesting its acute hearing and ability to detect danger. Remember that 'shǔ' sounds like 'shoe,' and visualize a mouse wearing a tiny shoe, cleverly navigating its environment.
Meanings of 鼠
shǔ(shu3)
1rat
2mouse
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 鼠
鼠Simplified
13Strokes
鼠Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3750Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 鼠
Podcast: 鼠
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AI study notes for 鼠
Quick Contrast
鼠 (shǔ) vs 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) — use 鼠 for general references or symbolic meanings, while 老鼠 specifically refers to a 'mouse' in everyday contexts.
Usage Notes
Be aware of the formal and informal contexts in which you use 鼠. In formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use the word '老鼠' (lǎoshǔ) for 'mouse'. It's often paired with measure words like '只' (zhī) when counting, so remember to use it correctly.
HSK Study Tips
While 鼠 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other animal-related characters that might appear in early HSK levels. Focus on understanding its usage in phrases and idioms to enrich your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鼠 with other animal characters, such as 猫 (māo) for 'cat.' For example, saying '我有一只猫' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī shǔ) instead of '我有一只鼠' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī shǔ) can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鼠
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The character 鼠 (shǔ) refers to both 'rat' and 'mouse' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in various contexts, including zoology and idiomatic expressions, often symbolizing cleverness or cunning. Additionally, it is associated with the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, representing traits like resourcefulness and adaptability.
When to use 鼠
Be aware of the formal and informal contexts in which you use 鼠. In formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use the word '老鼠' (lǎoshǔ) for 'mouse'. It's often paired with measure words like '只' (zhī) when counting, so remember to use it correctly.
鼠 or something close to it
鼠 (shǔ) vs 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) — use 鼠 for general references or symbolic meanings, while 老鼠 specifically refers to a 'mouse' in everyday contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鼠 with other animal characters, such as 猫 (māo) for 'cat.' For example, saying '我有一只猫' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī shǔ) instead of '我有一只鼠' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī shǔ) can lead to misunderstanding.
Write 鼠
鼠
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Grammar patterns of 鼠
鼠 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 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.
在他看来，这是个猫捉老____的把戏，而我就是老鼠。
It's a cat-and-mouse game to him, and I'm the mouse.
Common confusions with 鼠
鼠vs树
shù
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
鼠vs熟
shú
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “rat”?
or
Example sentences for 鼠 (14)
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1
在他看来，这是个猫捉老鼠的把戏，而我就是老鼠。
zài tā kànlái， zhè shì gè māo zhuō lǎoshǔ de bǎ xì， ér wǒ jiùshì lǎoshǔ。
It's a cat-and-mouse game to him, and I'm the mouse.
2
奶酪是引诱老鼠上钩的极好的东西.
nǎilào shì yǐnyòu lǎoshǔ shàng gōu de jí hǎode dōngxi.
Cheese is very good for luring a mouse into a trap.
We found rat holes in the warehouse, which need to be addressed immediately.
14
他对鼠标的灵活运用就像是对鼠的捕捉一样熟练。
Tā duì shǔ biāo de línghuó yùnyòng jiù xiàng shì duì shǔ de bǔzhuō yīyàng shúliàn.
His skillful use of the computer mouse is as adept as catching a rat.
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Word Family of 鼠
Compounds31
鼬yòuweasel, mustela itatis
鼹yǎna kind of insectivorous rodent
鼯wúflying squirrel
巤lièa mouse's whiskers; a horse's mane; a fish's dorsal fin
癙shǔ
鼢féna variety of mole
鼩qúshrew
鼪shēng
鼫shí
鼭shí
鼱jīngshrew
鼷xīmouse
竄cuànto run away; to expel; to revise, to edit
躥cuānto jump, to leap; to gush, to spurt
鑹cuān
鬛liè
鼣fèi
鼤wén
鼥bá
鼦diāo
鼧tuó
鼨zhōng
鼮tíng
鼰jú
鼲hún
鼳jú
鼴yǎna kind of insectivorous rodent
鼵tū
鼶sī
鼸xiàn
鼺léi
Words containing this character20
鼠shǔrat
老鼠lǎoshǔrat
鼠标shǔbiāomouse (computing)鼠標
松鼠sōngshǔsquirrel
袋鼠dàishǔkangaroo
鼠疫shǔyìplague
鼹鼠yǎnshǔmole (zoology)鼴鼠
仓鼠cāngshǔhamster倉鼠
米老鼠mǐlǎoshǔMickey Mouse
黄鼠狼huángshǔlángSiberian weasel黃鼠狼
田鼠tiánshǔvole
豚鼠túnshǔguinea pig (Cavia porcellus)
土拨鼠tǔbōshǔgroundhog土撥鼠
小白鼠xiǎobáishǔlittle white mouse (esp. laboratory animal)
鼠辈shǔbèia scoundrel鼠輩
天竺鼠tiānzhúshǔcavy
过街老鼠guòjiēlǎoshǔtarget of scorn過街老鼠
鼠药shǔyàorat poison鼠藥
捕鼠器bǔshǔqìmousetrap
鼠目寸光shǔmùcùnguāngshort-sighted
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 鼠
What does 鼬 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 鼠
Yes, 鼠 is used in several Chinese idioms and expressions. For instance, '鼠目寸光' (shǔ mù cùn guāng) means 'a mouse's eye sees only an inch,' referring to someone who has a narrow perspective or limited vision.
The measure word for 鼠 is 隻 (zhī), which is used for individual animals. For example, you would say '一只鼠' (yī zhī shǔ) to mean 'one rat' or 'one mouse.'
鼠 (shǔ) means 'rat' or 'mouse' in Chinese. It can refer to both the animal itself and is also used in various contexts related to rodents. In the Chinese zodiac, 鼠 represents the first sign, symbolizing intelligence and adaptability.
You can use 鼠 (shǔ) in sentences like '我看到一只鼠在屋子里' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī shǔ zài wūzi lǐ), which means 'I saw a mouse in the room.' It can also be used in idiomatic expressions or in the context of the zodiac.
鼠 is a more general term for 'rat' or 'mouse,' whereas 老鼠 specifically refers to a 'mouse' and often implies a domesticated or less formal context.
Yes, 鼠 is used in idioms like '鼠目寸光' (shǔ mù cùn guāng), meaning 'to have a narrow view' or lack foresight.
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