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March 24, 2026
寿(壽)shòu(Shou4)
The character 寿 (shòu) primarily means 'longevity' or 'long life' and is often associated with age, birthdays, and celebrations of life. It is a common term used in greetings and well-wishes, particularly during significant birthdays and festivals in Chinese culture, reflecting the value placed on age and wisdom.
Strokes7Radical寸Frequency#5402DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of longevity is highly revered, often celebrated with special dishes during birthdays, especially for the elderly. The character 寿 is frequently seen in decorations during the Lunar New Year and other festive occasions.
Memory Tip
Imagine an elderly person sitting under the shade of a tree, enjoying their long life (寿) as they share stories with younger generations. The character itself resembles a figure with a long beard, often a symbol of wisdom and longevity.
Meanings of 寿
shòu(Shou4)
1long life
2old age
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 寿
寿Simplified
壽Traditional
7Strokes
寸Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5402Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 寿
Podcast: 寿
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AI Study Notes for 寿
Quick Contrast
长 (cháng) - use 寿 (shòu) when specifically referring to longevity or long life, particularly in cultural contexts, while 长 (cháng) generally means 'long' in a more general sense.
Usage Notes
While 寿 is generally used positively, it is important to use it in appropriate contexts, such as during birthday celebrations or in formal greetings. Common collocations include 寿星 (shòuxīng, 'birthday star') and 寿命 (shòumìng, 'lifespan'). Be careful with pronunciation; the fourth tone can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
Although 寿 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it can still be beneficial for learners at HSK 3 and above to understand this character. Students should focus on its cultural significance and how it is used in greetings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 寿 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using 壽 (traditional version) in a modern context can be incorrect in simplified Chinese settings. Always ensure you are using the correct form based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 寿
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Simplified form of 壽. The top component is a remnant of 老 (old). The origin of the bottom component is unclear.
1The giveawayAltered form of 老
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 寿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 寿?
Decomposition of 寿
IDS Structure⿸丰寸
寿Full Character
=
丰feng1
enclosing
寸cun4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 寿?
How to say long life in Chinese
“long life” in Chinese is寿shòu
The character 寿 (shòu) primarily means 'longevity' or 'long life' and is often associated with age, birthdays, and celebrations of life. It is a common term used in greetings and well-wishes, particularly during significant birthdays and festivals in Chinese culture, reflecting the value placed on age and wisdom.
When to use 寿
While 寿 is generally used positively, it is important to use it in appropriate contexts, such as during birthday celebrations or in formal greetings. Common collocations include 寿星 (shòuxīng, 'birthday star') and 寿命 (shòumìng, 'lifespan'). Be careful with pronunciation; the fourth tone can change the meaning significantly.
寿 or something close to it
长 (cháng) - use 寿 (shòu) when specifically referring to longevity or long life, particularly in cultural contexts, while 长 (cháng) generally means 'long' in a more general sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 寿 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using 壽 (traditional version) in a modern context can be incorrect in simplified Chinese settings. Always ensure you are using the correct form based on the context.
Write 寿
寿
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Practice writing 寿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 寿
寿 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 8 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
Complete the Sentence
这些电池的____命为6小时。
The batteries had a life span of six hours.
Example Sentences for 寿 (10)
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1
这些电池的寿命为6小时。
zhè xiē diàn chí de shòu mìng wéi6 6 xiǎo。
The batteries had a life span of six hours.
2
6人中已经有3人轻松超过了正常的预期寿命。
6 6 rén zhōng yǐ jīng3 yǒu 3 rén qīng sōng chāo guò le zhèng cháng de yù qī。
Three of the six have comfortably exceeded their normal life expectancy.
