Meanings of 屎
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About 屎
Podcast: 屎
Podcast: 屎
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AI Study Notes for 屎
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 屎
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Etymology of 屎
A person, crouched 尸 defecating 米; 米 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 屎
- 1The giveawayA person, crouched 尸 defecating 米; 米 also provides the pronunciation
- 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 屎? 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 屎?
Decomposition of 屎
Identify the Components
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How to say stool, feces, dung in Chinese
“stool, feces, dung” in Chinese is屎
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
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Practice writing 屎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Complete the Sentence
便道上的狗____
dog poop on the sidewalk
Example Sentences for 屎 (3)
Reorder the Sentence
dog poop on the sidewalk
Word Family of 屎
Compound Meaning
What does 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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