Meanings of 尸
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About 尸
Podcast: 尸
Podcast: 尸
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AI Study Notes for 尸
尸 (corpse) vs 骨 (bone) — use 尸 when referring specifically to a whole dead body, while 骨 refers to the skeletal remains.
Be mindful that 尸 is not used in everyday conversation but rather in more formal or specific contexts related to death. It is often seen in literary or historical texts. Avoid confusing it with similar characters like 屍 (shī), which has the same meaning but is less common.
While 尸 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of life and death, which are relevant in cultural studies. Focus on recognizing its use in literature or historical contexts, particularly when discussing funerary practices.
Learners often confuse 尸 with 屍 or use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我看到尸在街上' (I saw a corpse in the street) should be corrected to '我看到尸体在街上' (I saw a body in the street) for clarity.
Pronunciation of 尸
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Etymology of 尸
Pictograph of a bent-over human.
A man keeled over
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 尸
Pictograph of a bent-over human.
- 1The giveawayA man keeled over
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 尸? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 尸?
Decomposition of 尸
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 尸?
How to say person representing the dead (during burial ceremonies) in Chinese
“person representing the dead (during burial ceremonies)” in Chinese is尸
The character 尸 (shī) refers to a corpse or dead body, often used in contexts related to burial ceremonies or displays of the deceased. It carries a somber connotation, typically appearing in discussions of death, funerals, and related cultural practices in Chinese society.
When to use 尸
Be mindful that 尸 is not used in everyday conversation but rather in more formal or specific contexts related to death. It is often seen in literary or historical texts. Avoid confusing it with similar characters like 屍 (shī), which has the same meaning but is less common.
尸 or something close to it
尸 (corpse) vs 骨 (bone) — use 尸 when referring specifically to a whole dead body, while 骨 refers to the skeletal remains.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 尸 with 屍 or use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我看到尸在街上' (I saw a corpse in the street) should be corrected to '我看到尸体在街上' (I saw a body in the street) for clarity.
Write 尸
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Practice writing 尸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 尸
尸 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 4 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.
Complete the Sentence
一具无法辨认的男性____体被发现了。
The unrecognizable remains of a man had been found.
Example Sentences for 尸 (10)
Word Family of 尸
Compound Meaning
What does 尼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 尸
No, 尸 is primarily used in formal contexts related to death and is not common in casual conversation.
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