Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
施Shī(Shi1)
The character 施 (shī) primarily means 'to grant' or 'to bestow.' It can be used in various contexts, such as giving someone something or implementing a plan. Additionally, it is a common Chinese surname, pronounced as 'Shi,' which may lead to confusion if not contextualized properly.
Strokes9Radical方Frequency#4139DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of giving is highly valued, especially in contexts like charity and community support. The character 施 reflects this cultural importance of generosity and altruism.
Memory tip
Imagine a generous person named Shi, who is always granting wishes to others. The character 施 looks like a hand (the left side) giving something to someone (the right side), symbolizing the act of giving.
Meanings of 施
Shī(Shi1)
1to grant
2to give
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
Play it, then pick what 施 means.
About 施
施Simplified
9Strokes
方Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4139Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 施
Podcast: 施
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 施
Quick Contrast
施 (shī, to grant) vs 给予 (jǐyǔ, to give) — use 施 when emphasizing the act of bestowing or implementing, while 给予 focuses more on the act of giving.
Usage Notes
When using 施, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '时' (shí, time) or '诗' (shī, poem). It is more formal and often used in written contexts, such as in legal or official documents. Common collocations include 施行 (to implement) and 施舍 (to give alms).
HSK Study Tips
施 is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects with words related to actions and giving, which are common at HSK 3-4. Focus on understanding its use in phrases and how it relates to verbs like 给 (gěi, to give).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 施 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 施钱 (shī qián) to mean 'to give money' is incorrect; the correct phrase is 给钱 (gěi qián).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 施
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 施, 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 施 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 施?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 施 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.
The character 施 (shī) primarily means 'to grant' or 'to bestow.' It can be used in various contexts, such as giving someone something or implementing a plan. Additionally, it is a common Chinese surname, pronounced as 'Shi,' which may lead to confusion if not contextualized properly.
When to use 施
When using 施, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '时' (shí, time) or '诗' (shī, poem). It is more formal and often used in written contexts, such as in legal or official documents. Common collocations include 施行 (to implement) and 施舍 (to give alms).
施 or something close to it
施 (shī, to grant) vs 给予 (jǐyǔ, to give) — use 施 when emphasizing the act of bestowing or implementing, while 给予 focuses more on the act of giving.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 施 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 施钱 (shī qián) to mean 'to give money' is incorrect; the correct phrase is 给钱 (gěi qián).
Write 施
施
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 施 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 施
施 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 7 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 man was a sadist who tortured animals and people.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 施?
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.
Word Family of 施
Compounds8
揓shì
暆yídeclining (as of the sun)
椸yí
葹shī
崺yǐ
湤shī
箷yí
鍦shī
Words containing this character20
实施shíshīto implement實施
措施cuòshīmeasure
设施shèshīfacilities設施
施Shīto grant
施工shīgōngconstruction
施展shīzhǎnto use fully
施加shījiāto exert (effort or pressure)
施舍shīshěto give in charity施捨
施压shīyāto pressure施壓
发号施令fāhàoshīlìngto boss people around (idiom)發號施令
施行shīxíngto put in place
无计可施wújìkěshīpowerless無計可施
施肥shīféito spread manure
施瓦辛格shīwǎxīngéArnold Schwarzenegger (1947-), US actor and politician, governor of California 2003-2011
施放shīfàngto fire
西施xīshīXishi (c. 450 BC), famous Chinese beauty, foremost of the four legendary beauties 四大美女[sìdàměinǚ], given by King Gou Jian 勾踐|勾践[GōuJiàn] of Yue as concubine to King of Wu as part of a successful plan to destroy Wu
乐善好施lèshànhàoshīkind and charitable樂善好施
施主shīzhǔdonor (semiconductor)
施特劳斯shītèláosīStrauss (name)施特勞斯
施用shīyòngto use
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 施
What does 暆 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 施
Yes, 施 (Shī) is a recognized surname in China, though it is not one of the most common ones. It is listed among the traditional Chinese surnames and has historical significance.
Some common phrases that include 施 are '施恩' (shī ēn), meaning 'to show kindness', and '施加' (shī jiā), which means 'to impose' or 'to apply'. These phrases demonstrate the versatility of the character in different contexts.
施 (shī) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'to give', 'to bestow', and 'to carry out'. It can also refer to the surname Shi. In various contexts, it is used to describe the action of performing or implementing something.
施 can be used in sentences to indicate giving or bestowing something, for example: '他施予我帮助' (tā shī yǔ wǒ bāngzhù) meaning 'He gives me help'. It can also be used in contexts like '施行政策' (shīxíng zhèngcè) which means 'to carry out policies'.
Common phrases include 施行 (shīxíng, to implement) and 施舍 (shīshě, to give alms).
Yes, 施 (Shī) is a recognized Chinese surname, though not as common as others like Wang or Li.
施 is pronounced as 'shī,' with a high, level tone.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 施?
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.
