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致使 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
致使
zhìshǐ
to cause
HSK 7, v, 18 strokes, rank #17862, Very Hard
致使
zhìshǐ
to result in
HSK 7, v, 18 strokes, rank #17862, Very Hard
zhìshǐ(zhi4shi3)zhi shi T4
1to cause
2to result in
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March 24, 2026
致使zhìshǐ(zhi4shi3)
致使 (zhì shǐ) means 'to cause' or 'to result in' and is used to indicate that one action or event leads to another. It often appears in formal contexts, particularly in written Chinese, to describe causality in various situations, such as in reports or analyses.
Strokes18Frequency#17862DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, understanding causality is important in both personal and professional contexts. The word 致使 can often be found in discussions about social issues, indicating how one factor leads to another, reflecting the interconnectedness valued in Chinese thought.
Memory tip
Think of 致 (zhì) as 'to send' and 使 (shǐ) as 'to make'—imagine sending a letter that makes something happen. The character 致 has a radical for 'movement' (至) combined with 'to cause' (使), which can help visualize the act of causing something to occur.
Meanings of 致使
zhìshǐ(zhi4shi3)
1to cause
2to result in
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About 致使
致使Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#17862Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 致使
Podcast: 致使
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AI Study Notes for 致使
Quick Contrast
导致 (dǎozhì) — use 致使 for more formal contexts, while 导致 is more commonly used in everyday language.
Usage Notes
致使 is typically used in formal writing and should be avoided in casual conversation. A common mistake is confusing it with 造成 (zào chéng), which also means 'to cause' but is used in slightly different contexts. Be mindful of the tone: both characters are fourth and third tones respectively, which can be tricky.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 致使 connects well with other advanced vocabulary that discusses causality and effects, like 影响 (yǐng xiǎng, 'influence') and 结果 (jié guǒ, 'result'). Focus on understanding how to use it in complex sentences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 致使 with the simpler verb 让 (ràng, 'to let/make'), as in '这件事让我很生气' (This matter made me very angry), which is incorrect. Instead, use 致使 to convey a more formal causative action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 致使
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致使 (zhì shǐ) means 'to cause' or 'to result in' and is used to indicate that one action or event leads to another. It often appears in formal contexts, particularly in written Chinese, to describe causality in various situations, such as in reports or analyses.
When to use 致使
致使 is typically used in formal writing and should be avoided in casual conversation. A common mistake is confusing it with 造成 (zào chéng), which also means 'to cause' but is used in slightly different contexts. Be mindful of the tone: both characters are fourth and third tones respectively, which can be tricky.
致使 or something close to it
导致 (dǎozhì) — use 致使 for more formal contexts, while 导致 is more commonly used in everyday language.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 致使 with the simpler verb 让 (ràng, 'to let/make'), as in '这件事让我很生气' (This matter made me very angry), which is incorrect. Instead, use 致使 to convey a more formal causative action.
Write 致使
致
使
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Grammar Patterns of 致使
致使 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 2 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.
