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March 24, 2026
竖(竪)shù(shu4)
The character 竖 (shù) primarily means 'to erect' or 'vertical,' commonly used in contexts related to positioning objects upright. It can also refer to the vertical stroke in Chinese characters, emphasizing its significance in writing and calligraphy. Understanding this character is essential for learners who want to master character formation and structure.
Strokes9Radical立Frequency#8385DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese calligraphy and painting, the vertical stroke (竖) is crucial for achieving balance and harmony in composition. The way vertical lines are executed reflects the artist's skill and the cultural importance placed on aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall tree standing straight in the forest, symbolizing 'erect' or 'vertical.' The character 竖 has a tall component (the '竖' part) that looks like a tree trunk, reminding you of its meaning and pronunciation (shù). Picture the tree’s branches reaching upward, reinforcing the idea of verticality.
Meanings of 竖
shù(shu4)
1to erect
2vertical
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 竖
竖Simplified
竪Traditional
9Strokes
立Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#8385Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 竖
Podcast: 竖
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AI Study Notes for 竖
Quick Contrast
横 (héng) — use 竖 for vertical orientation, while 横 refers to horizontal positioning.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall tree standing straight in the forest, symbolizing 'erect' or 'vertical.' The character 竖 has a tall component (the '竖' part) that looks like a tree trunk, reminding you of its meaning and pronunciation (shù). Picture the tree’s branches reaching upward, reinforcing the idea of verticality.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 竖 with similar characters like 豎 (shù), which has a different usage context. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with tone; the first tone (shù) is important to convey the correct meaning. It often collocates with words related to positioning, such as 竖立 (shùlì) meaning 'to erect.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 竖 connects with advanced vocabulary about direction and position. Students should focus on its nuances in both physical and abstract contexts, as well as its role in character writing. Practicing with related characters will help solidify understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese calligraphy and painting, the vertical stroke (竖) is crucial for achieving balance and harmony in composition. The way vertical lines are executed reflects the artist's skill and the cultural importance placed on aesthetics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 竖 when they mean to use 豎 (shù) in specific contexts like describing posture or orientation. For example, saying 竖立你的背 instead of 豎立你的背 (shùlì nǐ de bèi) to mean 'stand up straight.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 竖
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Grammar Patterns of 竖
竖 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 5 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
我走出门，____起衣领抵御冷雾。
I stepped outside and pulled up my collar against the cold mist.
Example Sentences for 竖 (10)
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1
我走出门，竖起衣领抵御冷雾。
wǒ zǒu chū mén， ， shù qǐ yī lǐng dǐ yù lěng。
I stepped outside and pulled up my collar against the cold mist.
2
你不得不对她维护正义的勇气竖起大拇指。
nǐ bù dé bù duì tā wéi hù zhèng yì de yǒng qì shù qǐ dà mǔ zhǐ。
You have to give her top marks for moral guts.
3
有些器乐段落谱写得非常优美，尤其是竖琴和长笛的部分。
yǒu xiē qì lè duàn luò pǔ xiě dé fēi cháng yōu měi， ， yóu qí shì shù qín hé cháng dí de bù。
Some of the instrumentation is exquisite, particularly for harp and flute.
4
沿那一页的中心画一条竖线。
yán nà yī yè de zhōng xīn huà yī tiáo shù xiàn。
Draw a line down that page's center.
5
他眼中的怒火吓得她汗毛倒竖。
tā yǎn zhōng de nù huǒ xià dé tā hàn máo dǎo shù。
The rage in his eyes made her blood run cold.
6
所有的人都竖起耳朵听楼梯上传来的脚步声。
suǒ yǒu de rén dū shù qǐ ěr duǒ tīng lóu tī shàng chuán lái de jiǎo bù shēng。
All ears were cocked for the footsteps on the stairs.
7
这些猫的哀叫引得我的狗毛发竖立。
zhè xiē māo de āi jiào yǐn dé wǒ de gǒu máo fā shù lì。
Cats yowl. My dog's hair bristles in response.
8
詹姆斯开始讲鬼故事的时候,有点让人汗毛直竖.
zhān mǔ sī kāi shǐ jiǎng guǐ gù shì de shí hòu, , yǒu diǎn ràng rén hàn máo zhí.
It got a bIt'spooky when James started telling ghost stories.
In Chinese calligraphy and painting, the vertical stroke (竖) is crucial for achieving balance and harmony in composition. The way vertical lines are executed reflects the artist's skill and the cultural importance placed on aesthetics.
Word Family of 竖
Words Containing This Character12
竖shùto erect豎
竖起to erect (a tent etc)豎起
竖琴harp豎琴
竖立to erect豎立
横竖anyway橫豎
横七竖八héngqīshùbāin disorder橫七豎八
竖笛recorder豎笛
横挑鼻子竖挑眼to pick on sth incessantly (idiom)橫挑鼻子豎挑眼
横眉竖眼to glare橫眉豎眼
横躺竖卧to lie down all over the place橫躺豎臥
横三竖四in disorder橫三豎四
横说竖说to repeat橫說豎說
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 竖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 竖
Common phrases include 竖起 (shùqǐ) meaning 'to raise up' and 竖立 (shùlì) meaning 'to erect.'
Try associating 'shù' with 'shoot,' as in shooting something upwards, to recall its meaning of erecting.
Yes, 竖 can be used in both formal writing and informal speech, particularly when discussing positioning or directions.
