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March 24, 2026
耍Shuǎ(Shua3)
The character 耍 (shuǎ) primarily means 'to play' or 'to frolic,' often implying a sense of amusement or lightheartedness. It can also refer to displaying skills, acting in a cool manner, or wielding something, such as a tool or weapon. This term is commonly used in informal contexts, making it a versatile addition to conversational Mandarin.
Strokes9Radical而Frequency#1508DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of play is often linked to traditional arts or performances, where one might '耍' their skills in a public display, such as in martial arts or acrobatics. This reflects the value placed on skill and enjoyment in social settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child in a park, playing with their toys and showing off their cool moves to impress their friends. The character 耍 has a radical '扌' (hand), suggesting actions performed by hands, which connects to the idea of playing and displaying skills.
Meanings of 耍
Shuǎ(Shua3)
1to play with
2to wield
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 耍
耍Simplified
9Strokes
而Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1508Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 耍
Podcast: 耍
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AI Study Notes for 耍
Quick Contrast
玩 (wán, to play) - use 耍 when emphasizing a playful display of skill or coolness, rather than just playing.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 耍 with similar verbs like 玩 (wán), which also means 'to play,' but is more general. 耍 is often used in informal contexts, while 玩 can be used more broadly. Common collocations include 耍花样 (shuǎ huāyàng - to show off), which emphasizes the display aspect.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, students should focus on understanding both the playful and skillful nuances of 耍. It connects well with other verbs of action, allowing learners to expand their vocabulary around recreational activities and demonstrations of skill.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 耍 with 玩, using them interchangeably, such as saying '我喜欢耍' when they mean '我喜欢玩' (I like to play). Remember, 耍 has a more specialized meaning related to displaying skills.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耍
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1The giveawayA woman 女 wearing a beard 而 for disguise
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 耍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 耍?
Decomposition of 耍
IDS Structure⿱而女
耍Full Character
=
而er2
top
女nü3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 耍?
How to say to play with in Chinese
“to play with” in Chinese is耍Shuǎ
The character 耍 (shuǎ) primarily means 'to play' or 'to frolic,' often implying a sense of amusement or lightheartedness. It can also refer to displaying skills, acting in a cool manner, or wielding something, such as a tool or weapon. This term is commonly used in informal contexts, making it a versatile addition to conversational Mandarin.
When to use 耍
Be careful not to confuse 耍 with similar verbs like 玩 (wán), which also means 'to play,' but is more general. 耍 is often used in informal contexts, while 玩 can be used more broadly. Common collocations include 耍花样 (shuǎ huāyàng - to show off), which emphasizes the display aspect.
耍 or something close to it
玩 (wán, to play) - use 耍 when emphasizing a playful display of skill or coolness, rather than just playing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 耍 with 玩, using them interchangeably, such as saying '我喜欢耍' when they mean '我喜欢玩' (I like to play). Remember, 耍 has a more specialized meaning related to displaying skills.
Write 耍
耍
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Grammar Patterns of 耍
耍 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 6 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.
