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March 24, 2026
失去shīqù(shi1qu4)
失去 (shīqù) means 'to lose' and is commonly used in contexts referring to the loss of tangible or intangible things, such as opportunities, relationships, or possessions. It conveys a sense of regret or sorrow associated with the act of losing something valuable.
Frequency#533DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of loss is often associated with deep emotional ties, particularly in relationships and family. The saying '失去的东西' (things that are lost) often carries weight in discussions about personal experiences and regrets.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person watching their prized possession slipping away like sand through their fingers, symbolizing loss. The character 失 (shī) looks like a person (the top part) who is feeling down (the bottom part) about something they have lost, while 去 (qù) suggests movement away from the person.
Meanings of 失去
shīqù(shi1qu4)
1to lose
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About 失去
失去Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#533Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 失去
Podcast: 失去
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AI Study Notes for 失去
Quick Contrast
丧失 (sàngshī) is often used in formal contexts and emphasizes the state of having lost something, whereas 失去 (shīqù) focuses more on the action of losing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person watching their prized possession slipping away like sand through their fingers, symbolizing loss. The character 失 (shī) looks like a person (the top part) who is feeling down (the bottom part) about something they have lost, while 去 (qù) suggests movement away from the person.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 失去 with similar verbs like 丢 (diū, to discard) which implies carelessness. 失去 is more formal and often used in written contexts, while 丢 is more casual. Common collocations include 失去机会 (shīqù jīhuì, to lose an opportunity) and 失去信任 (shīqù xìnrèn, to lose trust).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 失去 connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and experiences, such as 悲伤 (bēishāng, sadness) and 机会 (jīhuì, opportunity). Students should focus on understanding how it interacts with nouns and how it expresses emotional states.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of loss is often associated with deep emotional ties, particularly in relationships and family. The saying '失去的东西' (things that are lost) often carries weight in discussions about personal experiences and regrets.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 失去 with the verb 丢 (diū). For instance, saying '我失去了我的书包' (Wǒ shīqùle wǒ de shūbāo) is correct, but saying '我丢了我的书包' (Wǒ diūle wǒ de shūbāo) is more casual and implies carelessness. Additionally, remember to use the correct tones for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 失去
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Grammar Patterns of 失去
失去 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
By the early 1980s, the power station had outlived its purpose.
4
这是一项的确已失去了魅力的游戏。
zhè shì yī xiàng de què yǐ shī qù le mèi lì de yóu xì。
It's a game that has really lost its allure.
5
理查森在一次摩托车事故中失去了他的右脚。
lǐ chá sēn zài yī cì mó tuō chē shì gù zhōng shī qù le tā de yòu jiǎo。
Richardson severed his right foot in a motorbike accident.
6
他给火车撞伤，失去了一只脚。
tā gěi huǒ chē zhuàng shāng， ， shī qù le yī zhī。
He lost a foot when he was struck by a train.
7
我儿子遭受了巨大痛苦，他失去了最要好的朋友。
wǒ ér zǐ zāo shòu le jù dà tòng kǔ， ， tā shī qù le zuì yào hǎo de péng。
My son has suffered terribly. He has lost his best friend.
8
他的脸失去了血色，变得一片死灰。
tā de liǎn shī qù le xiě sè， ， biàn dé yī piàn sǐ。
The blood drained from his face, leaving the skin dead white.
9
他可能已经失去了夺取奥运会金牌的最后机会。
tā kě néng yǐ jīng shī qù le duó qǔ ào yùn huì jīn pái de zuì hòu jī huì。
He has probably said goodbye to his last chance of Olympic gold.
10
虽然该地区失去了往日的宁静，但是却有了生气。
suī rán gāi dì qū shī qù le wǎng rì de níng jìng， ， dàn shì què yǒu le shēng。
While it has lost its tranquility, the area has gained in liveliness.
Cultural Notes for 失去
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of loss is often associated with deep emotional ties, particularly in relationships and family. The saying '失去的东西' (things that are lost) often carries weight in discussions about personal experiences and regrets.
Frequently Asked Questions about 失去
You can say '我失去了一个好朋友' (Wǒ shīqùle yīgè hǎo péngyǒu), which means 'I lost a good friend.'
No, 失去 can refer to both tangible items and intangible things like opportunities or feelings.
The opposite is 得到 (dédào), which means 'to gain' or 'to obtain'.
