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謚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
謚shìposthumous name or titlex, 17 strokes, radical 言
shì(shi4) T4
  1. 1posthumous name or title
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March 24, 2026

謚shì(shi4)

The character 謚 (shì) refers to a posthumous name or title given to someone, particularly in historical contexts to honor and remember their contributions after death. It is commonly used in the context of Chinese history and genealogy, where notable figures are often bestowed with such titles to reflect their virtues and achievements.

Strokes17Radical言
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, posthumous names are significant for honoring ancestors and preserving their legacies. The practice of assigning 謚 reflects the deep respect for history and lineage in Chinese society, often seen during ancestral worship rituals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise sage (the character 謚) sitting under a tree, writing down the names of great leaders on scrolls, each scroll representing a posthumous title. The '言' radical (speech) suggests expression and communication, while the '死' component (death) indicates that these names are given after one's demise, linking the character to its meaning.

Meanings of 謚

shì(shi4)
1posthumous name or title
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 謚

謚Simplified
17Strokes
言Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 謚

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Podcast: 謚

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AI Study Notes for 謚

Usage Notes

The term 謚 is typically used in formal contexts, such as historical texts or discussions about ancestry. Learners should avoid confusing it with other similar words like '名' (name) or '号' (hao, casual title), which have different implications. Remember that 謚 is a formal term that does not apply to contemporary naming conventions.

HSK Study Tips

Although 謚 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, its understanding can enrich learners' knowledge of historical texts and cultural nuances. Students should focus on recognizing it within the context of historical discussions and genealogical studies, connecting it to terms like '先人' (ancestors) and '尊号' (honorable title).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 謚 with '名' (name), mistakenly using it in everyday introductions. For example, saying '我的謚是...' (My posthumous name is...) would be incorrect; instead, they should use '我的名字是...' (My name is...).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 謚

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Etymology of 謚

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)言
+
Phonetic (sound)益
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

謚 = 言 + 益. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 謚

IDS Structure⿰言益
謚Full Character
=
言yan2
left
益Yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 謚?

How to say posthumous name or title in Chinese

“posthumous name or title” in Chinese is謚shì

The character 謚 (shì) refers to a posthumous name or title given to someone, particularly in historical contexts to honor and remember their contributions after death. It is commonly used in the context of Chinese history and genealogy, where notable figures are often bestowed with such titles to reflect their virtues and achievements.

When to use 謚

The term 謚 is typically used in formal contexts, such as historical texts or discussions about ancestry. Learners should avoid confusing it with other similar words like '名' (name) or '号' (hao, casual title), which have different implications. Remember that 謚 is a formal term that does not apply to contemporary naming conventions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 謚 with '名' (name), mistakenly using it in everyday introductions. For example, saying '我的謚是...' (My posthumous name is...) would be incorrect; instead, they should use '我的名字是...' (My name is...).

Write 謚

謚

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

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Word Family of 謚

Words Containing This Character1
谥shìposthumous name or title諡
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 謚

What does 谥 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 謚

No, 謚 is primarily used in historical contexts and is not applicable to modern names.

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