unknown, 21 strokes, radical 骨, rank #29372, Very Hard
髓
suǐ
quintessence
unknown, 21 strokes, radical 骨, rank #29372, Very Hard
髓
suǐ
pith (soft interior of plant stem)
unknown, 21 strokes, radical 骨, rank #29372, Very Hard
suǐ(sui3) T3
1substance, essence; bone marrow
2marrow
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March 24, 2026
髓suǐ(sui3)
The character 髓 (suǐ) refers to the soft, fatty substance found within bones, known as bone marrow. It can also denote the essence or substance of something, emphasizing the core or vital part, such as the pith of a plant. In both medical and metaphorical contexts, it highlights the importance of the inner essence of things.
Strokes21Radical骨Frequency#29372DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bone marrow is considered vital for health, as it is believed to nourish the kidneys and support overall vitality. The understanding of marrow goes beyond biology, linking to concepts of strength and essence in one's health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a soft, squishy center in a bone, representing bone marrow, which is essential for producing blood cells. The character 髓 has components that resemble the structure of bone (bones are often depicted in art with marrow inside), linking its form to its meaning. Remember, 'suǐ' rhymes with 'sway,' like marrow swaying within a bone.
Meanings of 髓
suǐ(sui3)
1substance, essence; bone marrow
2marrow
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 髓
髓Simplified
21Strokes
骨Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 髓
Podcast: 髓
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AI Study Notes for 髓
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a soft, squishy center in a bone, representing bone marrow, which is essential for producing blood cells. The character 髓 has components that resemble the structure of bone (bones are often depicted in art with marrow inside), linking its form to its meaning. Remember, 'suǐ' rhymes with 'sway,' like marrow swaying within a bone.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in more formal contexts, especially in medical or literary discussions. Be careful not to confuse it with related terms; for example, using 髓 when referring to more general substances might be inappropriate. Common collocations include 髓质 (marrow quality) and 髓液 (marrow fluid).
HSK Study Tips
While 髓 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words related to anatomy (e.g., 骨 'bone'). Students should focus on recognizing this character in texts discussing health or biology, as it can enhance comprehension of more complex ideas.
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bone marrow is considered vital for health, as it is believed to nourish the kidneys and support overall vitality. The understanding of marrow goes beyond biology, linking to concepts of strength and essence in one's health.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 髓 with similar-sounding words like 随 (suí), which means 'to follow.' For instance, saying '我想要髓这个' (I want this marrow) instead of '我想要这个髓' (I want this marrow) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 髓
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Grammar Patterns of 髓
髓 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
跟肉铺老板要煲汤用的骨头（最好是____骨）。
Ask the butcher for soup bones (marrow bones are best).
Example Sentences for 髓 (9)
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1
跟肉铺老板要煲汤用的骨头（最好是髓骨）。
gēn ròu pū lǎo bǎn yào bāo tāng yòng de gǔ tóu（ （ zuì hǎo shì suǐ）。
Ask the butcher for soup bones (marrow bones are best).
The idea that we can be whatever we want has become the stuff of television commercials.
Cultural Notes for 髓
🏮Cultural insight
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bone marrow is considered vital for health, as it is believed to nourish the kidneys and support overall vitality. The understanding of marrow goes beyond biology, linking to concepts of strength and essence in one's health.
Word Family of 髓
Words Containing This Character16
骨髓bone marrow (medulla ossea)
精髓jīngsuǐmarrow
脊髓spinal cord
髓suǐmarrow
脑髓brain tissue腦髓
牙髓tooth pulp
脊髓灰质炎poliomyelitis脊髓灰質炎
髓鞘myelin sheath (membrane surrounding axon of nerve cell)
延髓medulla oblongata (the lower half of the brainstem)
脊髓炎myelitis
玉髓agate
神髓lit. spirit and marrow
红骨髓red bone marrow (myeloid tissue)紅骨髓
真髓the real essence (of the matter)
黄骨髓yellow or fatty bone marrow黃骨髓
沦肌浃髓moved to the core淪肌浹髓
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 骨髓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 髓
髓 refers specifically to the marrow within bones, while 骨 refers to the bones themselves.
It's not common in casual conversation; it is more often found in medical or literary contexts.
Yes, related terms include 精髓 (essence) which can refer more broadly to the core of something.
