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March 24, 2026
梳shū(shu1)
The character 梳 (shū) primarily means 'to comb' and refers to the action of using a comb to arrange hair. It can also denote the comb itself, which is an essential grooming tool in many cultures. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversations about personal grooming and in more formal contexts related to beauty and hair care.
Strokes11Radical木Frequency#9851DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, grooming and personal appearance are highly valued, and the act of combing hair is often associated with respect and self-care. Traditional beliefs also suggest that combing hair should be done gently and thoughtfully, as it is seen as a way to care for oneself.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'sheep' (like the sound of shū) getting its wool brushed with a comb (梳). The character 梳 has a tree radical (木), evoking the image of a wooden comb, which is often used for grooming hair. Picture the sheep happily getting its hair combed by a friendly hand.
Meanings of 梳
shū(shu1)
1a comb
2to comb
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 梳
梳Simplified
11Strokes
木Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9851Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 梳
Podcast: 梳
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AI Study Notes for 梳
Quick Contrast
梳 (shū, to comb) vs 整理 (zhěnglǐ, to tidy up) — use 梳 specifically for hair grooming, while 整理 applies to organizing or arranging various items.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sheep' (like the sound of shū) getting its wool brushed with a comb (梳). The character 梳 has a tree radical (木), evoking the image of a wooden comb, which is often used for grooming hair. Picture the sheep happily getting its hair combed by a friendly hand.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing shū, as it is a first tone and any mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words. This verb is often used in combination with related terms, like 梳头 (shū tóu) meaning 'to comb hair.' Informally, you might hear it used in casual settings, but it can also appear in more formal discussions about grooming.
HSK Study Tips
While 梳 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, understanding this verb can enhance your vocabulary related to daily routines and personal care, often found in beginner-level contexts. Students should also focus on related vocabulary around grooming and hygiene, which are practical for everyday conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, grooming and personal appearance are highly valued, and the act of combing hair is often associated with respect and self-care. Traditional beliefs also suggest that combing hair should be done gently and thoughtfully, as it is seen as a way to care for oneself.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 梳 with similar sounding words. For instance, mistakenly saying 'shù' (which means to 'plant') instead of 'shū'. To correct this, practice distinguishing the tones as they change the meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 梳
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Grammar Patterns of 梳
梳 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 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
Complete the Sentence
她把一头稀疏的浅黄色头发向后____，挽成了个圆髻。
She had pale thin yellow hair she pulled back into a bun.
Example Sentences for 梳 (10)
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1
她把一头稀疏的浅黄色头发向后梳，挽成了个圆髻。
tā bǎ yī tóu xī shū de qiǎn huáng sè tóu fā xiàng hòu shū， ， wǎn chéng le gè yuán。
She had pale thin yellow hair she pulled back into a bun.
tā chàn wēi wēi dì yóu chuáng biān nuó dào shū zhuāng tái qián。
She pulled herself unsteadily from the bed to the dresser.
Cultural Notes for 梳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, grooming and personal appearance are highly valued, and the act of combing hair is often associated with respect and self-care. Traditional beliefs also suggest that combing hair should be done gently and thoughtfully, as it is seen as a way to care for oneself.
Word Family of 梳
Words Containing This Character7
梳shūa comb
梳理shūlǐto comb
梳子shūzicomb
梳头to comb one's hair梳頭
梳洗to freshen up
梳妆台dressing table梳妝檯
梳妆to dress and groom oneself梳妝
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 梳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 梳
You can say '我每天早上梳头' (Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang shū tóu), which means 'I comb my hair every morning.'
While it primarily refers to hair, 梳 can also be used metaphorically to describe organizing or smoothing out other things.
The tone for 梳 is the first tone (shū), so it's pronounced with a high and level sound.
