使 (shǐ) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 使 (shǐ) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 使 (shǐ) means "to use; to make; to cause; envoy". It is an HSK Level 2 character, with 8 strokes and the radical 亻.

Q: How do you write 使 stroke by stroke?

使 has 8 strokes. The radical is 亻. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 使 and 仰?

使 (shǐ) and 仰 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 使?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 亻. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 使?

Common words containing 使 include: 使用 (shǐ yòng) — to use; to employ; 使劲 (shǐ jìn) — to exert oneself; to put in effort; 天使 (tiān shǐ) — Angel.

How to Write 使

The character 使 (shǐ) is written with 8 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 亻 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

使 is pronounced shǐ in Mandarin Chinese. It means to use; to make; to cause; envoy.

As an HSK Level 2 character, 使 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 使

使用 shǐ yòng

to use; to employ

使劲 shǐ jìn

to exert oneself; to put in effort

天使 tiān shǐ

Angel

Example Sentences

请学会使用这个软件。

qǐng xué huì shǐ yòng zhè ge ruǎn jiàn

Please learn how to use this software.

请大家一起使劲推车。

qǐng dà jiā yì qǐ shǐ jìn tuī chē

Everyone, please push the car hard together.

那个孩子像个小天使。

nà ge hái zi xiàng gè xiǎo tiān shǐ

That child is like a little angel.

Similar Characters

仰 yǎng

仲 zhòng

仳 pǐ

Practice Writing 使 (shǐ)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 使 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 使

What does 使 (shǐ) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 使 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 使 and 仰?

What mistakes do learners make writing 使?

What common words use 使?

How to Write 使 (shǐ)