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March 24, 2026
需xū(xu1)
The character 需 (xū) means 'to need' or 'to require.' It is commonly used to express necessity or demands in various contexts, such as needing help, resources, or meeting requirements. The nuance often implies a sense of urgency or obligation in fulfilling that need.
Strokes14Radical雨Frequency#2132DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing needs can often be indirect or polite, reflecting the values of harmony and consideration for others. The word 需 may appear in business contexts where requirements for projects or proposals are discussed.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing next to a sign that says 'Need Help?' with the character 需 above it. The two horizontal lines at the top of 需 can remind you of a person reaching out, symbolizing a request or a need, while the bottom part looks like a 'u' for 'you' - who is in need.
Meanings of 需
xū(xu1)
1to require
2to need
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 需
需Simplified
14Strokes
雨Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2132Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 需
Podcast: 需
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AI Study Notes for 需
Quick Contrast
必要 (bìyào) - use 需 (xū) when emphasizing urgency or obligation, while 必要 (bìyào) indicates something is necessary but may lack the same sense of immediacy.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing next to a sign that says 'Need Help?' with the character 需 above it. The two horizontal lines at the top of 需 can remind you of a person reaching out, symbolizing a request or a need, while the bottom part looks like a 'u' for 'you' - who is in need.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 需 (xū) with similar-sounding words like 许 (xǔ), which means 'to allow' or 'to promise.' This word is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often followed by a noun or verb indicating what is needed. Pay attention to the tone, as it is pronounced with a level tone (first tone).
HSK Study Tips
While 需 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners focusing on practical conversations. It connects with other necessity-related vocabulary such as 要 (yào, to want) and 必须 (bìxū, must), which can enhance understanding of expressing needs.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing needs can often be indirect or polite, reflecting the values of harmony and consideration for others. The word 需 may appear in business contexts where requirements for projects or proposals are discussed.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake is using 需 in a casual context where 要 would be more appropriate, such as saying '我需去商店' (Wǒ xū qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我想去商店' (Wǒ xiǎng qù shāngdiàn) which means 'I want to go to the store.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 需
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Originally was a pictograph of a person standing under the rain (雨), representing the meaning "to get wet", now written as 濡.
The current meaning is a phonetic loan. The person component was later replaced with the phonetic component 而.
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Grammar Patterns of 需
需 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 6 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.
Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass.
9
无论你什么时候需要，都可以自由穿过我们的领地。
wú lùn nǐ shí mó shí hòu xū yào， ， dū kě yǐ zì yóu chuān guò wǒ mén de lǐng。
You may have free passage across our territory whenever you require it.
10
你需要了解办公室权术是如何影响工作氛围的。
nǐ xū yào le jiě bàn gōng shì quán shù shì rú hé yǐng xiǎng gōng zuò fēn wéi de。
You need to understand how office politics influence the working environment.
Cultural Notes for 需
💡Did you know?
The character '需' is related to the element of water, represented by the radical '雨'. In agriculture, water is essential for crops, reflecting the character's meaning of necessity and requirement.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing needs can often be indirect or polite, reflecting the values of harmony and consideration for others. The word 需 may appear in business contexts where requirements for projects or proposals are discussed.
Word Family of 需
Compounds31
懦nuo4weak, timid, cowardly
儒ru2scholar
蠕ru2wasp; to wriggle, to squirm
孺Ru2child; blood relation; affection
濡ru2to moisten, to immerse; wet, damp
糯nuo4glutinous rice; sticky, viscous
嚅ru2to mumble, to stutter
壖
嬬
擩
曘
獳
瓀
礝
繻
臑
薷ru2Elshotria paltrini
襦ru2coat, jacket; fine silk fabric
轜
醹
鑐
颥ru2the temporal bone
嶿
檽
燸
穤
羺
譳
隭
顬ru2the temporal bone
鱬
Words Containing This Character15
需要xūyàoto need
需求xūqiúrequirement
需xūto need
无需needless無需
急需jíxūurgent need
必需bìxūto need
供需supply and demand
必需品necessity
军需military material軍需
亟需urgent need
各取所需each takes what he needs (idiom)
不时之需a possible period of want or need不時之需
特需special need
按需分配distribution according to need
内需nèixūdomestic demand內需
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 懦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 需
Yes, 需 (xū) and 需要 (xūyào) are closely related. While 需 is a standalone character meaning 'need' or 'require,' 需要 is a verb phrase that means 'to need' or 'to require something.' They can often be used interchangeably in context.
需 (xū) is categorized as an HSK level 7 character. This indicates that it is considered an advanced word that learners typically encounter in more complex texts or conversations.
需 (xū) means 'to require' or 'to need' in Chinese. It conveys a sense of necessity or demand for something. This character is often used in contexts where something is required or needed.
You can use 需 (xū) to express needs or requirements. For example, in the sentence '我需要帮助' (Wǒ xū yào bāngzhù), it means 'I need help.' It's often followed by other verbs or nouns to specify what is required.
You can say '我需要帮助' (Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù), which means 'I need help.'
Yes, 需 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in written language, such as reports or requests.
Not exactly; while both express need, 需 emphasizes necessity or requirement, whereas 要 can imply a desire.
