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屎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
屎shǐstool, feces, dungHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1536, Very Hard
屎shǐear waxHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1536, Very Hard
屎shǐnasal mucusHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1536, Very Hard
shǐ(shi3)shi T3
  1. 1stool, feces, dung
  2. 2ear wax
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March 24, 2026

屎shǐ(shi3)

The character 屎 (shǐ) refers to stool or feces, commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing bodily functions. It can also refer to similar substances like ear wax or nasal mucus, but its primary usage centers around human waste. This word may be used humorously or in casual conversations among friends, but it is generally considered vulgar in formal settings.

Strokes9Radical尸Frequency#1536DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, discussing bodily functions is often seen as taboo or impolite, especially in formal situations. However, among close friends or in humorous contexts, it can be a source of laughter and bonding.

Memory tip

Imagine a person sitting on a toilet, making a 'shǐ' sound as they relieve themselves. The character 屎 looks like a person squatting over a pile of something unpleasant, helping you remember that it relates to feces.

Meanings of 屎

shǐ(shi3)
1stool, feces, dung
2ear wax
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 屎 means.

About 屎

屎Simplified
9Strokes
尸Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 屎

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Podcast: 屎

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AI Study Notes for 屎

Quick Contrast

屎 (shǐ) vs 粪 (fèn): use 屎 (shǐ) for informal or humorous contexts, while 粪 (fèn) is more appropriate in formal or medical discussions about feces.

Usage Notes

Learners often mistakenly use 屎 in formal contexts, where it would be more appropriate to use terms like 大便 (dàbiàn) for stool. Additionally, be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it as 'shi' (without the tonal mark) could lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 屎 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to daily life and bodily functions, which can be relevant for learners at any level. Focus on its colloquial usage and practice using it correctly in informal conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 屎 with other terms for waste, leading to incorrect usage in varying contexts. For example, using 屎 at a formal dinner to describe food can be inappropriate; instead, use 大便 in medical discussions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 屎

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Etymology of 屎

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A person, crouched 尸 defecating 米; 米 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 屎?

Decomposition of 屎

IDS Structure⿸尸米
屎Full character
=
尸shi1
enclosing
米Mi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 屎?

How to say stool, feces, dung in Chinese

“stool, feces, dung” in Chinese is屎shǐ

The character 屎 (shǐ) refers to stool or feces, commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing bodily functions. It can also refer to similar substances like ear wax or nasal mucus, but its primary usage centers around human waste. This word may be used humorously or in casual conversations among friends, but it is generally considered vulgar in formal settings.

When to use 屎

Learners often mistakenly use 屎 in formal contexts, where it would be more appropriate to use terms like 大便 (dàbiàn) for stool. Additionally, be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it as 'shi' (without the tonal mark) could lead to misunderstandings.

屎 or something close to it

屎 (shǐ) vs 粪 (fèn): use 屎 (shǐ) for informal or humorous contexts, while 粪 (fèn) is more appropriate in formal or medical discussions about feces.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 屎 with other terms for waste, leading to incorrect usage in varying contexts. For example, using 屎 at a formal dinner to describe food can be inappropriate; instead, use 大便 in medical discussions.

Write 屎

屎

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

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Grammar Patterns of 屎

屎 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 3 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

Fill the gap

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

便道上的狗____

dog poop on the sidewalk

Example Sentences for 屎 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
便道上的狗屎

biàn dào shàng de gǒu shǐ

dog poop on the sidewalk
2
这小孩正好踩在一堆狗屎上.

zhè xiǎo hái zhèng hǎo cǎi zài yī duī gǒu shǐ shàng.

The little kid stepped right in a pile of dog shit.
3
一粒老鼠屎败坏一锅汤.

yī lì lǎo shǔ shǐ bài huài yī guō tāng.

Just a bit of a mouse's dropping will spoil a whole saucepan of broth.
Exercise 1 of 1

Rebuild it

Rebuild it: “dog poop on the sidewalk”

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Word Family of 屎

Words containing this character9
屎shǐstool
拉屎to defecate
耳屎earwax
眼屎gum in the eyes
屎壳郎dung beetle屎殼郎
狗改不了吃屎fig. bad habits are hard to change
狗吃屎to fall flat on one's face (vulgar)
一把屎一把尿to have endured all sorts of hardships (to raise one's children) (idiom)
占着茅坑不拉屎fig. to be a dog in the manger占著茅坑不拉屎
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 屎

What does 拉屎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 屎

Yes, 屎 is generally considered vulgar and should be used with caution in formal settings.

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