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士兵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
士兵shìbīngsoldierHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, rank #1673, Hard
shìbīng(shi4bing1)shi bing T4
  1. 1soldier
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March 24, 2026

士兵shìbīng(shi4bing1)

士兵 (shìbīng) refers to a soldier, typically a member of an army who is trained for combat. This term is commonly used in both formal military contexts and everyday discussions about military personnel.

Strokes10Frequency#1673DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the role of a soldier (士兵) is often romanticized in literature and film, symbolizing bravery and sacrifice for the country. The concept of a soldier is deeply tied to historical events such as the Opium Wars and World War II.

Memory Tip

Think of 士 (shì) as a 'scholar' or 'gentleman' in the past who has taken up arms. The character 兵 (bīng) resembles a spear, which is a weapon soldiers use. Picture a scholarly figure transforming into a soldier wielding a spear to remember '士兵' means soldier.

Meanings of 士兵

shìbīng(shi4bing1)
1soldier
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 士兵

士兵Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1673Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 士兵

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Podcast: 士兵

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AI Study Notes for 士兵

Quick Contrast

军人 (jūnrén) vs 士兵 (shìbīng): Use 军人 for a broader term that includes all military personnel, while 士兵 specifically refers to enlisted soldiers.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 士兵 with 兵士 (bīngshì), which is also a term for soldier but has a slightly different nuance. Use 士兵 in formal contexts, while 兵士 might appear more in literature. Be cautious with tones; mispronouncing 士 (shì) could change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 士兵 connects to other military-related terms such as 军人 (jūnrén, military personnel) and 战士 (zhànshì, fighter). Focus on understanding the context in which these words are used to enhance vocabulary retention.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes incorrectly use 士兵 to describe a civilian who is not in the military. For example, saying '他是士兵' (tā shì shìbīng) about someone who is not a soldier is incorrect; instead, use '他是平民' (tā shì píngmín) for civilian.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 士兵

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Component Characters

士shìmember of the senior ministerial class (old)
3 strokes士
View full entry
兵bīngsoldiers
HSK 67 strokes八
View full entry

How to say soldier in Chinese

“soldier” in Chinese is士兵shìbīng

士兵 (shìbīng) refers to a soldier, typically a member of an army who is trained for combat. This term is commonly used in both formal military contexts and everyday discussions about military personnel.

When to use 士兵

Learners often confuse 士兵 with 兵士 (bīngshì), which is also a term for soldier but has a slightly different nuance. Use 士兵 in formal contexts, while 兵士 might appear more in literature. Be cautious with tones; mispronouncing 士 (shì) could change the meaning entirely.

士兵 or something close to it

军人 (jūnrén) vs 士兵 (shìbīng): Use 军人 for a broader term that includes all military personnel, while 士兵 specifically refers to enlisted soldiers.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes incorrectly use 士兵 to describe a civilian who is not in the military. For example, saying '他是士兵' (tā shì shìbīng) about someone who is not a soldier is incorrect; instead, use '他是平民' (tā shì píngmín) for civilian.

Write 士兵

士
兵

Practice writing 士兵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 士兵

士兵 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

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

工人、农民及____都参加了此次会议。

Workers, farmers, and soldiers all attended this meeting.

Example Sentences for 士兵 (10)

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1
士兵们征用首都的车辆，并且占领了电视台。

shì bīng mén zhēng yòng shǒu dū de chē liàng， ， bìng qiě zhān lǐng le diàn shì。

The soldiers commandeered vehicles in the capital and occupied the television station.
2
这条街道上到处都是士兵的声音。

zhè tiáo jiē dào shàng dào chǔ dū shì shì bīng de shēng yīn。

The street was alive with the sounds of the soldiers.
3
雅各布·辛克莱在一名士兵的手里送了命。

yǎ gè bù· · xīn kè lái zài yī míng shì bīng de shǒu lǐ sòng le。

Jacob Sinclair met his death at the hands of a soldier.
4
他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦，擒获了一名俘虏。

tā de shì bīng xí jī le guā zā tǎn， ， qín huò le yī míng fú。

His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
5
燧发枪团士兵琼斯奔向作战指挥室寻找他的中尉长官。

suì fā qiāng tuán shì bīng qióng sī bēn xiàng zuò zhàn zhǐ huī shì xún zhǎo tā de zhōng wèi cháng guān。

Fusilier Jones ran towards the Ops Room to find his lieutenant.
6
战斗中有13名士兵阵亡，10名士兵受伤。

zhàn dǒu zhōng yǒu13 13 míng shì bīng zhèn，10 wáng ，10 míng shì bīng。

13 soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in action.
7
目前局势动荡不定，有武装士兵在街道上警戒。

mù qián jú shì dòng dàng bù dìng， ， yǒu wǔ zhuāng shì bīng zài jiē dào shàng jǐng。

Armed soldiers guard the streets in this volatile atmosphere.
8
该国有将近400万现役士兵。

gāi guó yǒu jiāng jìn400 400 wàn xiàn yì shì。

There are nearly four million soldiers under arms in this country.
9
据报道，有6名士兵因伤而亡。

jù bào dào， ，6 yǒu 6 míng shì bīng yīn shāng。

Six soldiers are reported to have died from their wounds.
10
另有5名美军士兵死于各种意外。

lìng yǒu5 5 míng měi jūn shì bīng sǐ yú gè zhǒng yì。

Five other US military personnel were killed in various incidents.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 士兵

士兵 specifically refers to a soldier, while 军人 is a broader term that includes all military personnel.

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