Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
示意shìyì(shi4yi4)
示意 (shìyì) means to hint or indicate an idea to someone. It is commonly used in contexts where one person wants to convey a message or suggestion indirectly, often relying on non-verbal cues or subtle prompts.
Frequency#16025DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often preferred, and 示意 reflects this tendency. People may use subtle hints rather than direct statements to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation.
Memory Tip
Think of 示 (shì) as a signpost that 'shows' you the way, and 意 (yì) as 'meaning' or 'idea'. Together, they form a visual image of someone pointing out a direction or hinting at a deeper meaning, making it easier to remember both the sound and the concept.
Meanings of 示意
shìyì(shi4yi4)
1to hint
2to indicate (an idea to sb)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 示意
示意Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16025Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 示意
Podcast: 示意
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 示意
Quick Contrast
提示 (tíshì) vs 示意 (shìyì): use 提示 when giving a direct suggestion or reminder, while 示意 implies a more indirect or subtle indication.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 示 (shì) as a signpost that 'shows' you the way, and 意 (yì) as 'meaning' or 'idea'. Together, they form a visual image of someone pointing out a direction or hinting at a deeper meaning, making it easier to remember both the sound and the concept.
Usage Notes
示意 is more informal and is often used in conversational contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with more direct expressions of communication. Common collocations include 示意动作 (hinting action) and 示意图 (diagram indicating ideas).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 示意 connects with other advanced vocabulary that deals with communication and expression. Students should focus on using it in both spoken and written contexts to enhance their fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often preferred, and 示意 reflects this tendency. People may use subtle hints rather than direct statements to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 示意 with more direct expressions like 指示. For example, saying '我示意给他去' (I hint to him to go) should be corrected to '我示意他去' (I hinted to him to go) for proper structure.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 示意
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 示意 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 示意 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 示意
示意 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 2 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.
A police car drew abreast of us and signalled us to stop.
7
他们打信号示意走哪一条路.
tā mén dǎ xìn hào shì yì zǒu nǎ yī tiáo lù.
They signaled which way one is going to turn.
8
汤姆示意他的朋友走哪条路.
tāng mǔ shì yì tā de péng yǒu zǒu nǎ tiáo lù.
Tom signaled his friend which way to go.
9
杯子被倒满时米芝敷衍性地点头示意。
bēi zǐ bèi dǎo mǎn shí mǐ zhī fū yǎn xìng dì diǎn tóu shì yì。
Mitzi nodded a perfunctory acknowledgement as her glass was filled.
10
米奇拍手示意他们安静下来。
mǐ qí pāi shǒu shì yì tā mén ān jìng xià lái。
Midge clapped her hands, calling them back to order.
Cultural Notes for 示意
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often preferred, and 示意 reflects this tendency. People may use subtle hints rather than direct statements to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation.
Frequently Asked Questions about 示意
示意 is typically used in informal contexts, so it may not be suitable for formal writing. Consider using more explicit terms instead.
指示 (zhǐshì) means 'to instruct' or 'to direct,' which is more explicit than 示意, which implies a more subtle form of suggestion or hinting.
Yes, words like 指示 (zhǐshì) and 表示 (biǎoshì) also mean 'to indicate,' but they carry different levels of directness.
