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书 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
书shūbookHSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shūabbr. for 書經HSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shū>书经[Shū jīng]HSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shūletterHSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shūdocumentHSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shū>册[cè],部[bù]HSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shūto writeHSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shūbook, letter, document; writingHSK 1, n, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
书shūabbr. for 書經|书经[Shu1 jing1]HSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 丨, rank #464, Easy
shū(shu1) T1
  1. 1book
  2. 2abbr. for 書經
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
书(書)shū(shu1)

The character 书 (shū) primarily means 'book' and can also refer to 'letter' or 'document.' It is commonly used in contexts related to writing, reading, and education, as well as indicating written communication such as letters or formal documents.

Strokes4Radical丨Frequency#464DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, books have historically been revered, symbolizing knowledge and wisdom. The character 书 is often associated with the Confucian classics, which are foundational texts in Chinese education.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large book (书) that opens up like a giant mouth. The character's form resembles a book's spine and cover, with the top part suggesting the opening of pages. Think of 'shū' as a 'shoe' that helps you step into the world of knowledge.

Meanings of 书

shū(shu1)
1book
2abbr. for 書經
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 书

书Simplified
書Traditional
4Strokes
丨Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#464Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 书

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Podcast: 书

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AI Study Notes for 书

Quick Contrast

书 (shū) vs 本 (běn) — use 书 for general references to books or written materials, while 本 is specifically used for counting or indicating the volume of books.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large book (书) that opens up like a giant mouth. The character's form resembles a book's spine and cover, with the top part suggesting the opening of pages. Think of 'shū' as a 'shoe' that helps you step into the world of knowledge.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 书 with other characters like 书信 (shūxìn) meaning 'letter.' Remember that 书 is informal and widely used in everyday language. Additionally, avoid mixing up the measure words; use 本 (běn) for books.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, 书 connects to other basic vocabulary related to education and communication, such as 学 (xué, to study) and 写 (xiě, to write). Focus on practicing its use in sentences to reinforce understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, books have historically been revered, symbolizing knowledge and wisdom. The character 书 is often associated with the Confucian classics, which are foundational texts in Chinese education.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 书 with 书信 (shūxìn), which specifically means 'letter.' For example, saying '我写书' (I write a letter) is incorrect; it should be '我写信' (I write a letter).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 书

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Etymology of 书

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 書. Phonosemantic compound. 聿 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A mark made by a pen ⺺

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 书?

Decomposition of 书

IDS Structure⿻？丨
书Full Character
=
丨gun3
outer
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 书?

Write 书

书

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 书

书 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 9 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

钥匙在____包里。

The keys are in the backpack.

Example Sentences for 书 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
把它扔进邮筒，要不然就让你的秘书发份传真。

bǎ tā rēng jìn yóu tǒng， ， yào bù rán jiù ràng nǐ de mì shū fā fèn chuán。

Pop it in the post, or get your secretary to fax it.
2
放假期间你读了很多书吗？

fàng jiǎ qī jiān nǐ dú le hěn duō shū ma？

Did you have a lot of reading during the vacation?
3
“也许你可以查一下书？”莫伊拉建议道。

“ “ yě xǔ nǐ kě yǐ chá yī xià？” shū ？” mò yī lā jiàn。

"Perhaps you could check the book?" Moira said helpfully.
4
你是不是收藏了大量的书籍、报纸和纪念品？

nǐ shì bù shì shōu cáng le dà liáng de shū jí、 、 bào zhǐ hé jì niàn？

Do you keep many books and papers and memorabilia?
5
“整本书你都读完了吗？”她目光敏锐地问道。

“ “ zhěng běn shū nǐ dū dú wán le？” ma ？” tā mù guāng mǐn ruì dì。

"Have you read the whole book?" she asks, gimlet-eyed.
6
茅草亭是独自放松和读书的阴凉清幽之所。

máo cǎo tíng shì dú zì fàng sōng hé dú shū de yīn liáng qīng yōu zhī suǒ。

Thatched pavilions provide shady retreats for relaxing and reading in privacy.
7
该书的目的是要让经济学理论更加简单易懂。

gāi shū de mù de shì yào ràng jīng jì xué lǐ lùn gēng jiā jiǎn dān yì dǒng。

The book's aim was to make economic theory more digestible.
8
他那本带有精美插图的书见证了他对大学的热爱。

tā nà běn dài yǒu jīng měi chā tú de shū jiàn zhèng le tā duì dà xué de rè ài。

His beautifully illustrated book well attested his love of the university.
9
沃德豪斯的书信选集卖了1,232英镑。

wò dé háo sī de shū xìn xuǎn jí mài le1,232 1,232 yīng。

A selection of correspondence from P G Wodehouse realised £ 1, P.G.
10
创作这本书的想法来源于跟菲莉帕·布鲁斯特的谈话。

chuàng zuò zhè běn shū de xiǎng fǎ lái yuán yú gēn fēi lì pà· · bù lǔ sī tè de tán。

The idea for this book grew out of conversations with Philippa Brewster.

Cultural Notes for 书

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, books have historically been revered, symbolizing knowledge and wisdom. The character 书 is often associated with the Confucian classics, which are foundational texts in Chinese education.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Unlike in many Western cultures where reading is often seen as a solitary activity, in China, sharing books and knowledge is a communal experience, often fostering discussions within families or groups.

Word Family of 书

Words Containing This Character20
书shūbook書
读书dúshūto study讀書
书记shūjìclerk書記
图书馆túshūguǎnlibrary圖書館
秘书mìshūsecretary秘書
证书zhèngshūcredentials證書
图书túshūbooks (in a library or bookstore)圖書
书面shūmiànin writing書面
书店shūdiànbookstore書店
秘书长secretary-general秘書長
副书记deputy secretary副書記
书籍shūjíbooks書籍
书房shūfángstudio書房
看书to read看書
文书document文書
说明书shuōmíngshū(technical) manual說明書
总书记general secretary (of the Communist Party)總書記
教书to teach (in a school)教書
书写shūxiěto write書寫
书法shūfǎcalligraphy書法
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 书 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 书

In Chinese, the plural is not explicitly shown; 书 can refer to one or many books depending on context.